FBI opens investigation into Shireen Abu Akleh killing
Washington (QNN)- The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) recently informed Israeli occupation authorities that the FBI has opened an investigation into the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh who was shot dead by Israeli forces while covering a military raid in May in the occupied West Bank.
According to a Monday report by Axios, the US Justice Department informed its counterpart in ‘Israel’ that the FBI is opening a probe into the incident.
Axios reported that such an investigation is “highly unusual.”
The investigation could lead to a U.S. request to investigate the Israeli soldiers who were involved in the operation — a request ‘Israel’ would almost certainly reject, according to Axios, adding the probe could lead to tensions between the Biden administration and the Israeli occupation government.
The FBI decision to open an investigation into the case was first reported on Israel’s Channel 14 on Monday.
Five sources briefed on the issue, including four Israeli officials, confirmed to Axios that the DOJ notified the Israeli Justice Ministry about the decision. The sources requested anonymity as they were not authorized to publicly speak on the issue.
Israeli War Minister Benny Gantz called the FBI decision “a grave mistake” and said ‘Israel’ will refuse to cooperate.
“The IDF conducted an independent and professional investigation. I have made it clear to the U.S. government that we won’t cooperate with any external investigation and won’t allow any interference in Israel’s internal affairs,” he added.
The decision taken by the US Justice Department to conduct an investigation into the tragic passing of Shireen Abu Akleh, is a mistake. The IDF has conducted a professional, independent investigation, which was presented to American officials with whom the details were shared.
— בני גנץ – Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) November 14, 2022
White House National Security Council spokesperson referred Axios to the DOJ.
“Our thoughts remain with the Abu Akleh family as they grieve this tremendous loss. Not only was Shireen an American citizen, she was a fearless reporter whose journalism and pursuit of truth earned her the respect of audiences around the world,” the NSC spokesperson added.
Bruce Fein, a constitutional lawyer and former Justice Department official, said a decision to launch an FBI investigation into Abu Akleh’s killing means that the US authorities have “credible evidence” related to what occurred.
“There’s credible evidence in the FBI’s view, based upon things that have been in the public domain — irrespective of Israel’s recalcitrance — to believe that a crime was committed, namely assassination,” Fein told Al Jazeera.
“And secondly, there’s got to be some credible evidence — in my view — that an American citizen, could be a dual citizen, was the one who pulled the trigger.”
Fein said while ‘Israel’ may be quick to refuse to cooperate with the probe, the US has many tools, including military aid and regional geopolitics, to pressure its Middle East ally. “Those kinds of levers can change the minds of the Israelis,” he said.
Shireen Abu Akleh was a veteran television correspondent who became a household name across the Arab world for her bold coverage of the Israeli occupation of Palestine and Israel’s aggressions for 25 years.
Despite wearing a protective helmet and blue bulletproof vest clearly marked as “PRESS,” the 51-year-old veteran journalist was shot and killed by Israeli forces in the head while she was covering an Israeli military raid into the Jenin refugee camp on May 11, sparking international outrage and calls for accountability for attacks on journalists.
The US administration’s decision has come after facing a great pressure by dozens of congressional Democrats and Abu Akleh’s family to do more to ensure accountability.
More than 50 Democratic senators signed a letter in May calling for an independent FBI investigation.
Spearheaded by Democratic Congressmen Andre Carson and Luis Correa, the letter said, “As Members of Congress, we are deeply concerned by the death of Ms. Abu Akleh. Journalists worldwide must be protected at all costs.”
“We request the State Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launch an investigation into Ms. Abu Akleh’s death.”
“We also request the US Department of State determines whether any US laws protecting Ms. Abu Akleh, an American citizen, were violated.”
In early July, the US Department of State said that independent investigators could “not reach a definitive conclusion” regarding the origin of the bullet that killed Al Jazeera veteran journalist, but said Israeli gunfire was “likely responsible” for her death.
“Ballistic experts determined the bullet was badly damaged, which prevented a clear conclusion,” the United States government said in a statement.
Multiple witnesses said that Israeli forces killed the veteran journalist. Reports by the investigative group Bellingcat, The Associated Press, CNN, The Washington Post and The New York Times have also come to the same conclusion.
On June 24, the UN’s OHCHR also announced that information it had gathered showed that the bullets that killed Abu Akleh were fired by Israeli forces and “not from indiscriminate firing by armed Palestinians.”
A probe by the Palestinian Authority found that Abu Akleh was deliberately shot by Israeli forces.
