The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Monday announced that it will not open a criminal investigation into Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh’s death despite conceding that she was likely shot by an Israeli soldier.
The military acknowledged after a series of investigations by a dedicated task force that “there is a high possibility that Ms. Abu Akleh was accidentally hit by IDF gunfire that was fired toward suspects identified as armed Palestinian gunmen.” It added, “It is important to emphasise and clarify that throughout the entire incident, IDF gunfire was fired with the intent of neutralising the terrorists who shot at IDF soldiers.”
The Israeli army finally admits it is "highly probable" that Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by an Israeli soldier "using a telescopic scope" but it will not open an investigation even though she was clearly identified as press https://t.co/eRyHLD09Er
— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) September 5, 2022
The IDF also once again argued that the journalist could have been hit by bullets fired by “armed Palestinian militants,” as a result of which it “was not possible to unequivocally determine the source of the gunfire.” Furthermore, the IDF said after a “comprehensive examination of the incident,” there is “no suspicion of a criminal offence” that justifies opening a criminal investigation.
Calling the death of Abu Akleh a “devastating event,” IDF chief Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi said, “The IDF operates in immensely complex areas at a professional and high-quality level every night, while taking actions to avoid harming non-combatants.”
Abu Akleh Family Response to Israel’s Statement on Shireen’s Killing
— Lina Abu Akleh (@LinaAbuAkleh) September 5, 2022
We could never expect any type of accountability or legitimate investigation from the very entity responsible for gunning down an unarmed and clearly identifiable journalist. pic.twitter.com/bTfUqj5KV3
The Palestinian Authority (PA) condemned Israel’s refusal to conduct a criminal investigation. PA presidential spokesman Nabi Abu Rudeineh said the report is an “Israeli attempt to evade responsibility for her murder” He stressed that “Israel must bear responsibility for its crime.” “The Palestinian leadership will continue to follow up on the file of the killing of Abu Akleh with all relevant international bodies, especially the International Criminal Court (ICC),” he declared.
Abu Akleh’s family, too, rejected the IDF report, saying, “Israel tried to obscure the truth and avoid responsibility.” They said in a statement, “Our family is not surprised by this outcome since it’s obvious to anyone that Israeli war criminals cannot investigate their own crimes. However, we remain deeply hurt, frustrated, and disappointed.” The statement also called on United States President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to “follow through with meaningful action. Since Israel is incapable of holding itself accountable.”
And there we have it.
— Ben White (@benabyad) September 5, 2022
Israeli army takes four months to admit - "with very high likelihood" - that a soldier shot Shireen.
The Palestinian eyewitnesses were right. Al Jazeera was right. Shireen's family was right.
No charges will be filed. Of course.https://t.co/8P9Fy3MgNE
Israeli human rights group B’Tselem called the report an attempt to “whitewash” Israel’s responsibility for the murder. “The killing of Abu Akleh is the predictable result of Israel’s outrageous open fire policy in the Occupied Territories. This policy claims more and more victims while the whitewash continues undisturbed,” it said.
On May 11, Abu Akleh was shot in the head while covering an IDF raid in the West Bank city of Jenin despite wearing a press jacket that identified her as a journalist. While Al Jazeera and the PA blamed Israel for killing her, Israeli leaders instead accused Palestinian militants of the murder.
Premier Israeli human rights group @btselem on latest Israeli army statement on the killing of #ShireenAbuAkleh:
— Omar Shakir (@OmarSShakir) September 5, 2022
“It's not an investigation, it's whitewash; it was no mistake, it's policy.” pic.twitter.com/iub2hzzMdL
Separate investigations by the Associated Press and CNN in June concluded that the bullet that shot Akleh came from Israeli fire. The New York Times, too, found that an Israeli soldier fired the shot; however, it said the murder was accidental.
A report released by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in July also found that Israeli forces were responsible for the death of Abu Akleh. The UN body called on Israel to conduct a “prompt, thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation” and hold the perpetrators to account.