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Transcript/ScriptPress Freedom-US Mideast
HEADLINE: Two Slain Journalists Cast Shadow on Biden’s Middle East Trip
TEASER: Human rights experts call for Biden to address the killings of Palestinian American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi during meetings with Israel, Saudi Arabia
PUBLISHED AT: 7/13/2022 at 8:20 p.m.
BYLINE: Cindy Saine
CONTRIBUTOR: Sirwan Kajjo, Margaret Besheer, Patsy Widakuswara
DATELINE:
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: JJ, MAS, djones approved
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA original interviews, AFP, AP, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:03
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: For VOA Press Freedom. Questions/review Jessica and Cindy. ))
((INTRO: Oil prices, a revived Iranian nuclear deal and regional stability are President Joe Biden’s priorities on his Middle East tour. But rights groups say the killings of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh must also be addressed. VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports.))
((NARRATOR))
President Joe Biden touched down in Tel Aviv Wednesday, the start of a four-day trip that includes meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders before a direct flight to Saudi Arabia: the first by an American president.
((NARRATOR))
Israeli and regional security are a major focus, and some analysts hope President Joe Biden’s visit to the Middle East could lead to a rapprochement between Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
((NARRATOR))
But Biden’s plan to attend a meeting that includes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman drew harsh criticism, with some calling it a slap in the face for those who value human rights.
((For radio: Agnes Callamard is Secretary General of Amnesty International))
((Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International))
“What President Biden is doing is suggesting that human rights are cheap and can be bargained out for a range of other impact, outcome, output. It in many ways shatters the vision that President Biden had offered to the world after Russia's aggression of Ukraine.”
((NARRATOR))
The visit to Saudi Arabia is seen as a retreat from Biden’s promise to put human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy, and to make the Saudi Crown Prince a “pariah” on the international stage over the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
((Radio: John Hursh is the program director at Democracy For the Arab World Now, or DAWN, a nonprofit founded by Khashoggi before his death))
((John Hursh, Democracy For the Arab World Now))
((Mandatory Skype Courtesy))
“I think this is terribly disappointing for Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia's human rights defenders, civil society leaders. And I don't think it's particularly wise I think strategically and as a policy decision. I don't think it benefits the United States.”
((NARRATOR))
Both the U.S. and the U.N. independently found evidence that the Saudi prince was behind the murder of Khashoggi. Claims the Saudi prince denies.
Another challenge is the killing of Palestinian American journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, during an Israeli raid in the West Bank on May 11. Her family has demanded to visit with Biden in Jerusalem.
The State Department has said Israeli fire is likely responsible for her death but could not say if the shooting was intentional.
((Radio Intro: Kristian Ulrichsen is a Middle East fellow with Rice University))
((Kristian Ulrichsen, Rice University)) ((mandatory courtesy: Skype))
“The administration, both Trump's administration and Biden's especially, continued to press the Saudis for an international investigation. There seems to have been much less of a push to do that with Shireen Abu Akleh.”
Ahead of Biden's arrival in Israel, the White House said the journalist’s family has been invited to the United States to “engage directly” with the president.
Experts say Biden’s first visit to the Middle East as president is likely to be difficult, with rights groups watching each handshake and listening to every word.
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJuly 13, 2022 20:59 EDT
Byline((Cindy Saine, VOA News))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
