We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/ScriptUS ISRAEL JOURNALIST KILLED
HEADLINE: Free Press Advocates Criticize US Response to Journalist Killed in West Bank
TEASER: Some press freedom organizations have criticized the U.S. response to a statement by the Israeli Defense Forces on the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
PUBLISHED AT: 9/6/2022 at 9:25 pm
BYLINE: Cindy Saine
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE:
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Jepsen, Holly Franko, DJ OK
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Saine interviews, MRT, AP, Reuters, AFP
PLATFORMS (mark with X):WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:34
VID APPROVED BY: Holly Franko
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO: ))
[[The State Department has reacted to an Israeli statement on the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May, saying the U.S. will press Israel to review the rules of engagement of its forces in the West Bank to take steps to mitigate the risk to journalists and other civilians. VOA's Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports.]]
((NARRATOR))
The killing in May of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh as she was covering an Israeli raid in Jenin in the West Bank triggered outrage worldwide. On Monday, the Israeli Defense Forces released a statement saying there is a "high possibility" that Abu Akleh was accidentally shot by its soldiers during an exchange of
gunfire with suspects identified as Palestinian gunmen. The Israeli military said it does not plan to pursue criminal charges against any of the soldiers involved.
The Abu Akleh family rejects Israel's conclusions, saying Abu Akleh was wearing a bulletproof vest clearly labeled "PRESS." Abu Akleh's niece Lina Abu Akleh spoke with VOA via Skype.
((Lina Abu Akleh, Niece of Shireen Abu Akleh)) ((Skype Courtesy))
"And we also know that she and her colleagues who were present there, they were all wearing the press vest and they all identified to the military while they were making their way to the scene. It was very quiet and then suddenly they were continuously shot at, and Shireen was shot in between her helmet and her vest, right underneath her head. The shot was very precise and, you know it's just, it's ridiculous that until this day, there's still no accountability, there's still no action."
((NARRATOR))
Reporters at the State Department asked why the U.S. is not holding Israel accountable for the killing of an America citizen. Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel had this to say.
((Vedant Patel, State Department Deputy Spokesperson))
"We continue to press Israel directly and closely at the senior-most levels to review its policies and practices on this to ensure that something like this doesn't happen again in the future."
((NARRATOR))
The U.S. response was not enough for Lina Abu Akleh.
((Lina Abu Akleh, Niece of Shireen Abu Akleh)) ((Skype Courtesy))
"So for us, there needs to be a U.S. investigation that holds the Israeli army accountable for the killing of one of their own citizens. It is their duty. It is their responsibility. And the policies cannot be changed without accountability, without an end to the impunity."
((Radio Intro: William McCarren is the Executive Director of the National Press Club. He spoke to VOA via Zoom.))
((NARRATOR))
Some press freedom advocates have also called out the State Department for not doing enough when journalists are killed. William McCarren is the executive director of the National Press Club.
((William McCarren, National Press Club)) ((Zoom Courtesy))
"We are concerned that there is a growing gap between the good rhetoric of the State Department related to press freedom in general and their actions. So in this case, there seems, they seem to be saying good things, but they're not taking actions that then are needed to ensure this murder or killing is not done with impunity, and there are obvious dangers for other journalists if this is not addressed."
((NARRATOR))
Abu Akleh's family, human rights groups and press freedom activists are calling for the United States, the International Criminal Court and other international organizations to investigate Shireen Abu Akleh's killing and to hold those responsible accountable.
Cindy Saine, VOA News
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateSeptember 6, 2022 16:04 EDT
BylineCindy Saine, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
