Body of Abu Akleh, who was fatally shot by Israeli troops, arrives in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
UN demands probe into killing of Abu Akleh
The UN human rights office has said it was “appalled” at the killing of Abu Akleh and demanded a transparent investigation into her death.
“We are appalled at the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh while covering an Israeli military operation in Jenin, Palestine,” UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet’s office said on Twitter, adding: “We urge an independent, transparent investigation into her killing. Impunity must end.”
Abu Akleh’s killing ‘constitutes grave breach’ of Geneva Conventions: RSF
Christophe Deloire, Secretary General and Director General of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), wrote on Twitter that the killing of Abu Akleh “constitutes a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions that mandate the protection of civilians, and of UN Security Council resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists”.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib calls for moment of silence
Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has called for a ‘moment of silence’ in the US House of Representatives.
“People woke up to the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, and I would like to do a moment of silence as we heard the shocking news of this journalist of over 20 years – a Palestinian-American, killed,” she said as she fought back tears while addressing the house.
Journalists gather in Beirut to honour Abu Akleh
Dozens of journalists and media workers from Lebanon’s Alternative Syndicate of the Press have gathered in downtown Beirut to honour Abu Akleh.
The syndicate’s coordinator Elsy Moufarrej described Abu Akleh as an “icon”, and left a lasting impact on Palestinians and journalists everywhere.
“The legacy Shireen left us is hundreds of hours of reporting that documented the crimes of the Israeli occupation,” Moufarrej told Al Jazeera.
The syndicate also called for an international investigation into Abu Akleh’s killing.
ournalists from Lebanon’s Alternative Syndicate of the Press lit candles and paid tribute to slain Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, condemning the Israeli authorities and calling for an international investigation [Kareem Chehayeb/Al Jazeera]
‘No possibility whatsoever’ that Palestinians shot Abu Akleh
Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, said there was “no exchange of fire” at the scene of Abu Akleh’s shooting.
There is “no possibility whatsoever that Palestinians have shot Shireen Abu Akleh,” Barghouti told Al Jazeera. “The Israeli army always uses these excuses to cover up the crimes they are committing against Palestinians including Palestinian journalists.”
European Union calls for ‘thorough, independent investigation’
The EU has strongly condemned the killing of Abu Akleh called for an investigation.
The chief spokesperson for the EU diplomatic service, Peter Stano, said in an official statement it is significant that a “thorough, independent investigation clarifies all the circumstances of these incidents as soon as possible and that those responsible are brought to justice”.
White House calls for ‘thorough investigation’ into Abu Akleh’s killing
White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, has condemned the killing of Abu Akleh.
In a statement, she said: “We call for a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances of her death. Investigating attacks on independent media and prosecuting those responsible are of paramount importance.”
We will continue to promote media freedom and protect journalists ability to do their jobs without fear of violence, threats to their lives, or safety or unjust detention.”
Abu Akleh is the 12th Al Jazeera journalist to be killed on the job
Since launching in 1996, 12 Al Jazeera journalists have been killed in the line of duty.
‘Palestinians do not have faith in any Israeli investigation’
Despite numerous calls for a thorough investigation into Abu Akleh’s killing, Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim said that the Palestinians she has spoken to do not believe that there will be accountability.
“No one I’ve spoken to this morning believes that … there’s going to be justice for Shireen,” Ibrahim said from Ramallah.
“This is what makes the hurt and the pain deeper, that people know there’s not going to be any accountability towards those who killed her,” she said.
US State Department calls for ‘immediate, thorough’ investigation
US Department of State spokesman Ned Price has condemned the killing of Abu Akleh and called for an ‘immediate and thorough’ investigation.
In a statement on Twitter, Price added that “those responsible must be held accountable”.
Israeli army says unclear who fired bullet, backing away from earlier claims
Israel’s military chief has said it is now unclear who fired the bullet that killed Abu Akleh, backing away from earlier claims that she was likely killed by “Palestinian gunmen”.
Aviv Kochavi said that “at this stage, we cannot determine by whose fire she was harmed and we regret her death.”
Thousands gather to honour Abu Akleh in Ramallah
Thousands of people have gathered in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah to honour Abu Akleh as her body arrived in an ambulance from Nablus.
Friends, colleagues, and family members of Abu Akleh gathered in front of Al Jazeera’s offices upon the arrival of her body.
Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim, reporting from Ramallah, said: “We can … see the body is being taken out of the ambulance, to enter here at this small room, the ground floor of AJ’s offices.”
“We’re expecting her colleagues, friends, family, loved ones, to bid her the final farewell,” Ibrahim said, adding that it was a “very difficult situation”.
“We’re also hearing crowds chanting slogans in defiance, saying ‘we will fight for Shireen’.”
CPJ calls for swift, transparent investigation
In a statement, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on authorities to conduct a “swift, immediate, and transparent investigation” into the killing Abu Akleh.
“We are shocked and strongly condemn the killing of the prominent Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank while doing her job and while clearly identified as a journalist,” said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator, Sherif Mansour.
“We call for an immediate and thorough investigation into her killing. Journalists must be able to do their jobs safely and freely without being a target,” he added.
‘No protection for journalists here’
Christine Rinawi, a correspondent for Palestine TV, said Abu Akleh represented a fountain of knowledge in the world of journalism.
“I’ve been a journalist in Jerusalem for more than 12 years – I learned from Shireen on all levels, not just journalism,” Rinawi told Al Jazeera.
“We lost Shireen because the killing of Palestinians has become an easy matter. There are no words to explain the pain of what every Palestinian and Arab journalist is going through, and especially those who worked with her and saw her high professionalism and manners.”
Rinawi said that instead of reporting on the news, journalists have become the news.
“There is no protection for journalists here,” she said, adding that she was arrested by Israeli forces nine times within the span of a year and a half.
Amnesty: Israel must end unlawful killings
In a statement, rights group Amnesty International called for an end to Israel’s “unlawful killings” and other crimes of apartheid against the Palestinians.
“The killing of veteran journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is a bloody reminder of the deadly system in which Israel locks Palestinians,” said Saleh Higazi, Amnesty International’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa.
Palestinians have been killed or injured as a result of the Israeli forces’ use of excessive force when policing protests or carrying out search and arrest raids, the statement continued, in cases that amount to extrajudicial executions – a crime under international law.
Another journalist and witness recounts moment of shooting
Mujahed al-Saadi, a Palestinian journalist that was part of the group of reporters going into the Jenin refugee camp, said he was waiting for his colleagues to arrive before the shooting began.
“We were waiting for our colleagues to enter the refugee camp,” he said. “We chose a point that did not have confrontations between the Israeli army and the armed fighters. We waited for Shireen to put on all of her safety gear. She then reached us then we moved a few metres.
“Then within seconds, there was the first shot. I told them that we are being targeted, that we’ve been shot at. I turned and found Shireen on the ground. I found Shatha [Hanaysha] shielding herself by a tree and screaming. The shooting continued for more than three minutes. [Al Jazeera journalist] Ali [al-Samoudi] was injured, he was able to cross the street and get to a point of safety. The shooting towards Shatha continued while she was standing under the tree.
“We could not provide first aid to Shireen. The youth in the street came to us and tried to pull Shireen out but were also shot at. Whenever anyone moved forward, they were shot at.”
Israeli police raid Abu Akleh’s home in Jerusalem
Israeli forces have raided Abu Akleh’s home in occupied East Jerusalem, and have confiscated Palestinian flags and prevented the playing of nationalistic songs.
Videos seen by Al Jazeera show friends and family members shouting at Israeli police to leave the house.
A journalist at the scene said the mourners managed to push the forces outside of the house, but remain stationed in the area.
Al Jazeera’s Jerusalem bureau chief: Abu Akleh was targeted by ‘direct shot’
Walid al-Omari, the Al Jazeera bureau chief in Jerusalem, said it was clear the bullet that killed Abu Akleh was shot by an Israeli sniper.
PA rejects Israeli participation in investigating Abu Akleh’s death
The spokesman of the Palestinian Authority, Ibrahim Milhim, said his government rejects any role for Israel in an investigation into Abu Akleh’s killing.
“Let me ask, when does the criminal have the right to take part in the investigation against his victim?” Milhim told Al Jazeera.
“We reject and refuse the participation of any Israelis in this kind of investigation. They have to be taken to the International Court. We call on the ICJ to open an investigation into the killing of Shireen and other crimes committed against the Palestinians.”
Milhim also urged the international community to stop the double standards when it comes to the Palestinian cause and the Israeli crimes.
