Shireen Abu Akleh: UK, US, EU officials criticised over responses to Israel's killing of Palestinian journalist

Shireen Abu Akleh: UK, US, EU officials criticised over responses to Israel's killing of Palestinian journalist
Palestinian activists have condemned the response from some Western countries to the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
3 min read
12 May, 2022
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she was 'saddened to hear of the death of respected journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh' [Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty-archive]

UK, US and EU officials have been criticised for their responses to Israel's killing of veteran Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on Wednesday.

Abu Akleh, 51, was shot by Israeli forces while covering a security raid in the occupied West Bank's Jenin refugee camp for television network Al Jazeera.

While Qatari Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwah Al-Khater on Wednesday called Shireen's killing "state-sponsored Israeli terrorism", not all officials around the world were as quick or condemnatory.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Thursday morning tweeted: "I am saddened to hear of the death of respected journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh. The work of journalists across the globe is vital and they must be protected to carry out their work."

Kristyan Benedict, Amnesty International UK's crisis response manager, replied critically to Truss.

"No calls for an independent investigation (or any investigation). No demands for justice and accountability. No highlighting of Israel's ongoing attacks on media freedom," he said.

"This is how the UK enables more violence against Palestinian civilians."

Others questioned Truss's use of the word "death", given eyewitness testimony that Israeli forces shot dead Abu Akleh.

"Hi Liz, just wondering: how did Shireen die?" asked immunologist Khalil Thirlaway.

Abu Akleh was a US-Palestinian dual national, and officials across the Atlantic have also issued responses.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Wednesday said: "We are heartbroken by and strongly condemn the killing of American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank.

"The investigation must be immediate and thorough and those responsible must be held accountable.

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"Her death is an affront to media freedom everywhere."

But American Muslims for Palestine felt Price's statement did not go far enough.

The group said: "Demanding an 'investigation' into the murder of an American on foreign soil is only a slap on the wrist.

"Without proper accountability, Israel will continue to terrorize the Palestinians, make a mockery of international law, and disrespect the US which provides it with a lifeline."

Also on Wednesday, European Union lead foreign affairs spokesperson Peter Stano said the EU "strongly condemns" Shireen's killing.

"It is essential that a thorough, independent investigation clarifies all the circumstances of these incidents as soon as possible and that those responsible are brought to justice," he said.

But some Twitter users questioned what use an investigation would be.

"No need for an investigation," said Qatari physician Noor Al-Khori. "An Israeli sniper killed her and this is clear as day."