JERUSALEM (VINnews) — After an IDF investigation concluded that it was “likely” that bullets fired by IDF soldiers had inadvertently caused the death of Palestinian-American reporter Shireen Abu Akleh, the US is pressuring Israel to change its open-fire policies.
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“We’re going to continue to press our Israeli partner to closely review its policies and practices on rules of engagement and consider additional steps to mitigate the risk of civilian harm, protect journalists and prevent similar tragedies in the future. That is a key goal for us,” State Department Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel said.
The statement from Patel, which sharpened an earlier US reaction, indicates that the Biden administration is unsatisfied with steps Israel has taken since the Al-Jazeera journalist was killed while covering a firefight between the IDF and Jenin terrorists on May 11.
Abu Akleh was wearing a vest marked “Press” and a helmet but was killed while standing behind a tree on a Jenin street and attempting to cover the clashes between the IDF and the local terrorists. Both sides were using M-16 rifles and it is unclear where the bullet that killed Abu Akleh came from.
The Biden administration has for months been pushing Israel to reform its open-fire policies, which include shouting at a suspect to halt, firing into the air, and only using deadly force if a soldier feels threatened.
The requests have been made during calls Secretary of State Antony Blinken has held with Israeli counterparts.
The IDF has not published a response to these requests.
Following an internal review, an Israeli military official told reporters Monday that a soldier had been identified who had “with very high likelihood” shot the journalist by mistake, based on the army’s investigation.
“He misidentified her. His reports in real-time point to a misidentification,” the officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The army said Monday that no criminal wrongdoing was suspected in the accidental killing.
The State Department’s welcomed Israel’s investigation and findings and apparently accepted the conclusion that the shooting was accidental.
“We welcome Israel’s review of this tragic incident, and again underscore the importance of accountability in this case, such as policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said Monday.
The Palestinian Authority has said its own investigation proved that Abu Akleh was intentionally targeted and killed by the IDF during the raid — a conclusion Israel has flatly denied.
Is the US also demanding “tighter open fire policies” from Arab terrorists?
Play stupid games and win stupid prizes. Shiriin Abu-Akleh took home the jackpot!
What’s the American ‘open fire’ policy??
To sum it up: until now Israel fought with one hand tied behind their back. Now they are meant to fight with both hands tied behind their back!!
What kind of morons are there in the Israeli government that would come out and say such a stupid thing? Even if it was true, you shut your fat mouth! No one out there is going to like you any better for saying this stuff. In fact, they will, as we see, get on your case even more .
The fact that this person was shot was because she was in harm’s way. It doesn’t make a difference if she’s wearing a journalist jacket. You put yourself in the way of a bullet, you’re going to get hit. Go run in the middle of the street if cars are coming, you probably will get hit.
The Israelis should take absolutely positively no responsibility for this whatsoever! Where was the world for all the other journalists that have been killed in war zones? Why does it make a difference now? The answer is because it’s Israel and Israel needs to learn to shut up!
And the IDF should encourage journalists don’t stand in war zones or line of fire. Its her fault