Israeli defense minister calls US investigation into journalist’s killing a ‘grave mistake’
The U.S. is currently investigating the death Shirin Ab Akleh Israel’s defense minister stated that Israel would not cooperate.
The investigation was rebuffed Tuesday night by the Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lepid. He said in a speech to Israel’s parliament that “our strong protest has been sent to the appropriate levels to the Americans.” The FBI and any foreign country or organization will not investigate the IDF soldiers. He said, “The IDF army is moral and ethical. IDF soldiers and their commanding officers defend Israel. They are committed to democracy’s values and laws and will investigate any irregularity. “
On Monday Benny Gantz, the Israeli Defense Minister, stated for the first time that the U.S. Department of Justice launched an independent investigation into Abu Akleh’s shooting and death. According to reports, the FBI will conduct the investigation.
A Justice Department spokesperson did not respond to questions from the Associated Press about the matter. There were no details about the investigation’s beginning and what it might entail. But such a probe into Israeli actions is rare, if it is not unprecedented.
A spokesman for the FBI told Fox News Digital that the FBI does not confirm or deny specific investigations. Fox News Digital still has not received a response to questions sent to the Department of Justice.
ISRAEL ADMITS IDF LIKELY KILLED AL JAZEERA JOURNALIST ‘ACCIDENTALLY’
The defense minister of Israel said that the Department of Justice had opened an investigation into the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian journalist. Its defense minister stated that Israel would not cooperate with an external investigation.
(Guy Smallman/Getty Images)
Abu Akleh, an Al Jazeera journalist, was fatally shot while on assignment in the West Bank Palestinian town of Jenin, covering an IDF raid on terrorists in May 2022.
Gantz wrote on Twitter that the U.S. decision is a “grave mistake.” He stated that Israel would stand by its soldiers, and not cooperate in the external investigation. “The IDF conducted an independent, professional investigation which was presented to American officials, with whom the details were shared.”
Abu Akleh’s brother, Tony Abu Akleh, told Al Jazeera the family was optimistic about reports of a U.S. inquiry, saying it is “very important to hold those responsible accountable and prevent similar crimes. He said that he hoped this would be a turning point in Shireen’s murder investigation.
Mourners hold a banner depicting slain Al Jazeera veteran journalist Shireen Abu Akleh as they walk from the Old City of Jerusalem to her burial site, Friday, May 13, 2022. Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American reporter who covered the Mideast conflict for more than 25 years, was shot dead Wednesday during an Israeli military raid in the West Bank town of Jenin.
(AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
ISRAELI POLICE CLASH WITH MOURNERS CARRYING CASKET OF AL JAZEERA JOURNALIST SHIREEN ABU AKLEH
There has been intense pressure for a U.S. inquiry from Abu Akleh’s family and Democratic members of Congress, including several moderate lawmakers known for their strong support for the US-Israel relationship, such as Sen. Robert Menendez and Sen. Corey Booker. A few days after her death, 57 Democratic lawmakers signed a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the FBI’s director demanding an independent investigation into the killing. Several media investigations, including one conducted by the U.N., concluded Abu Akleh was killed by IDF fire.
Benny Gantz, Israel’s Minister of Defense, stated that Israel would not cooperate in a Department of Justice investigation into a death of a Palestinian reporter.
(Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Israel initially dismissed the reports and claims, only to admit in September, after another extensive investigation monitored by the U.S, that an Israeli soldier likely shot Abu Akleh by mistake. The Israeli army closed the investigation, refusing to indict those involved.
The announcement came after the Israeli elections which resulted in Benjamin Netanyahu being tasked with forming a new right-wing government.
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