NEVER FORGET SHIREEN ABU AKLEH.
Today marks the second anniversary of the murder of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. On May 11, 2022, while reporting in the occupied West Bank, she was shot by Israeli snipers. This American/Palestinian journalist, highly regarded in the Arab world, was killed on camera, and her murderer has not been held accountable.
Israel initially denied responsibility for her death and later disrupted her funeral procession, attacking mourners. Despite initial calls from the Biden administration for accountability and prosecution of those responsible, the U.S. government's stance softened after Israel admitted to the killing but dismissed it as an accident, and declined to launch a criminal investigation. Subsequently, the U.S. dropped demands for prosecution and opposed calls for an independent investigation, arguing that Israel's institutions are capable of handling the case. This approach has been criticized as it perpetuates a cycle of impunity, especially as Israel seldom prosecutes its soldiers for misconduct.
The lack of action has signaled a tolerance for violence against journalists, with Shireen Abu Akleh's case being emblematic of broader issues of accountability. The incident has underscored the perils faced by journalists in conflict zones and the international community's struggle to enforce justice in such cases.
Mike