Shireen Abu Akleh draws int'l outrage, CPJ urges swift investigation

• 

The bloody murder of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh has incited international responses from Arab and western countries, as well as organizations and committees, calling for a quick investigation into the cold-blooded crime.

Arab and Western countries around the world outraged by the bloody crime

Western countries also conveyed their condolences and called for a thorough and quick investigation into the criminal act.

“We offer our condolences to her loved ones and call for quick and strict investigation,” the Belgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The UK’s Ambassador to "Israel", Neil Wigan, voiced his "sadness" and called for a transparent investigation:

I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Al Jazeera’s @ShireenNasri in Jenin this morning. Journalists must be allowed to work safely and freely. I urge a rapid, thorough and transparent investigation.

— Neil Wigan (@FCDONeilWigan) May 11, 2022

Arab, Asian, and African countries, such as Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Djibouti all condemned the crime of killing - some calling it an "assassination" - of Shireen Abu Akleh, while recognizing her prominent role in reporting the Israeli aggression against Palestinians over the years.

“We are shocked and heavily oppose the actions of violence against journalists who are on duty and doing their job, we hope that such events of relevance are dealt with according to law and justice," said Zhao Lijian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun called the martyrdom of Abu Akleh an indicator of the violation of international treaties and laws by the occupation.

The Iraqi Popular Mobilization (PMF) forces also condemned the crime carried out by the Israeli forces, and the Iraqi Resistance groups described the journalist as a pioneer who fought in defense of Palestine for over two decades.

EU delegation expressed "shock" over Abu Akleh’s killing

The EU delegation to Palestinians has expressed “shock” over the crime, urging for “a swift and independent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice."

In a statement, the delegation called to "ensure the safety and protection of journalists covering conflicts."

CPJ calls for swift, transparent investigation

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said today, Wednesday, that Israeli and Palestinian authorities must carry out a swift, immediate, and transparent investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, the Al-Jazeera journalist, who was cruelly killed in the West Bank.

The CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour in Washington, said, “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,” adding, “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.”

CPJ emailed the media and North America desks of the Israeli occupation forces  but no immediate response has been received.

• 

Iran calls on international organizations, human rights to conduct an investigation

In a statement, the spokesperson of the Iranian Foreign Ministry Saeed Khatibzadeh denounced "Israel's" criminal act, saying the regime is not committed to freedom of speech and press, which contradicts the occupation's claims to do so.

Khatibzadeh called on international organizations and human rights organizations to carry out an independent investigation into the martyrdom of Shireen Abu Akleh and to hold the occupation regime accountable for its crimes.

Hezbollah: Murder of Shireen Abu Akleh ‘awful crime’

Hezbollah strongly condemned on Wednesday the Palestinian veteran journalist Shireen Abu Akleh's killing carried out by the Israeli occupation forces in Jenin and called the act an awful crime.

In a statement, Hezbollah’s Media Relations Office voiced condolences to Abu Akleh’s family, Al-Jazeera's Channel, Palestinian media, and the Palestinian people over Abu Akleh's martyrdom and described her as a “resistance journalist who had been pioneer in covering the Zionist crimes against her people throughout twenty years.”

Palestine Journalists Syndicate decries ‘clear assassination’ of Abu Akleh

The Palestine Journalists Syndicate slammed Shireen Abu Akleh’s murder and called it “a clear assassination perpetrated by the Israeli occupation army”.

The syndicate held the Israeli occupation “fully responsible for this heinous crime against press freedom," which comes right after World Press Freedom Day marked on May 8.

OHCHR: Impunity must end

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) stated in a tweet that their office is verifying the facts and they urged an independent and transparent investigation, insisting that "impunity must end."

We are appalled at the killing of journalist #ShireenAbuAkleh while covering an Israeli military operation in Jenin, #Palestine.

Our Office is on the ground verifying the facts.

We urge an independent, transparent investigation into her killing. Impunity must end. pic.twitter.com/EnAYvgHDpv

— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) May 11, 2022

BDS calls for "punishing the killers"

The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement accused the Israeli occupation and tweeted, "Apartheid Israel is responsible for murdering Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Her blood, however, is also on the hands of its US, UK and EU enablers. Stop 'regretting' her 'death' and start condemning and punishing the killers."

Apartheid Israel is responsible for murdering Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Her blood, however, is also on the hands of its US, UK and EU enablers. Stop "regretting" her "death" and start condemning and punishing the killers.https://t.co/YNytXbrFyY

— BDS movement (@BDSmovement) May 11, 2022

On Wednesday morning, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced the martyrdom of Al-Jazeera journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, whom the Israeli occupation forces shot in the head with a live bullet. The Israeli occupation stormed Jenin refugee camp, north West Bank, and at the same time, journalists were covering the storming of the camp. 

The Israeli attacks on journalists were not limited to one victim: Palestinian journalist Ali Samoudi was also wounded by a live bullet in his back; his condition is stable. 

Palestinian media reported heavy gunfire between resistance fighters and the occupation forces in the Jenin refugee camp, noting that many journalists were wounded by Israeli bullets while covering the occupation's incursion into the Jenin refugee camp.

Last week, "Israel" arrested 15 Palestinian journalists on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club. 

Warning: Graphic content

Journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh was targeted with a live bullet in the head, & her condition is very critical, and there are news confirming her death, as well as the injury of journalist Ali Al-Samudi with a live bullet in the back,during the #Israelioccupation aggression in Jenin. pic.twitter.com/irA7bi12JJ

— ramzy khan (@RAbuhajjaj) May 11, 2022