JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In a move emphasizing deteriorating relations between the US government and Israel, the US is launching an FBI investigation into the death of Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, apparently by an Israeli soldier, officials said Monday. Israel responded immediately, rejecting cooperation with the probe, which comes after Israel agreed to make its own investigation into Abu Akleh’s death after intense US pressure.
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The 51-year-old Abu Akleh, who was wearing a vest marked “Press” and a helmet, was shot dead on May 11 during a shootout between Israeli troops and Palestinian terrorists in the Jenin refugee camp. The IDF investigation determined that Abu Akleh was likely mistakenly shot by an Israeli soldier.
The US decision represents a 180 degree turnaround, after the Biden administration insisted for months that it would not be opening its own investigation into the death and would rely on Israel and the PA for its information.
There has been intense pressure for a US probe from Abu Akleh’s family, as well as Democratic members of Congress, including several relatively moderate lawmakers who are known for their strong support for the US-Israel relationship, such as Sen. Robert Menendez and Sen. Corey Booker.
In response, Defense Minister Benny Gantz tweeted that the decision to probe Abu Akleh’s “unfortunate” death was “a grave mistake.” Gantz noted that Israel had conducted its own investigation in coordination with the US
“I made it clear to the American representatives that we stand behind the IDF’s soldiers, that we will not cooperate with any external investigation and we will not allow interference in Israel’s internal affairs,” tweeted Gantz.
The defense minister voiced similar sentiments after the State Department deputy spokesman said in September that the US was urging Israel to review the IDF’s open-fire protocols in the wake of Abu Akleh’s death.
After Prime Minister Lapid also rejected the US request, terming it an attempt to dictate Israel’s internal policies, the US did not continue to pursue the matter.
While such investigations are relatively rare, there is certainly precedent for the FBI to probe the death of an American citizen abroad. However in a situation in which Israel already investigated the death at the behest of the Americans and submitted its conclusions, the FBI investigation is a stinging diplomatic insult to Israel’s credibility on the matter.
This is no doubt, the work of the squad.
Will they also be investigating the killings of dozens of American citizens by Palestinian terrorists?
the FBI is nothing more than the kgb/stasi doing the bidding of the DNC
I never thought the the FBI would succumb to this low standard it’s like the gestapo doing Hitlers bidding
It’s interesting a young Jewish man working in DC last year was MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD ON BECAUSE HE WAS WEARING A YARMULKE THE MURDERER BLACK DEMON IS STILL ON THE LOOSE YOU DONT SEE THE GOOD FOR NOTHING FBI INVESTIGATING OR APPREHENDING HIM
I would have thought that shooting the American civilian was a “grave mistake.”