A Justice Department spokesman had no comment, and there were no details on when the investigation might have begun and what it would entail — or what its implications might be. But an FBI investigation into Israeli actions would be a rare, if not unprecedented, step. A US investigation would follow months of lobbying by Abu Akleh’s family and US lawmakers frustrated by the inconclusive findings of an earlier State Department assessment and Israeli military probe into the death of the prominent correspondent in May. Abu Akleh’s supporters accuse Israel of deliberately killing the 51-year-old and have called on Washington to launch a full investigation. But an investigation risks straining the strong partnership between the United States and Israel at a time when Israel is preparing to form its most right-wing government in history and as progressive Democrats in the US have called for a more skeptical attitude toward one of Washington’s closest allies. It would directly challenge Israel’s claims that it correctly holds its soldiers responsible for their actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. Ganj criticized what he described as the opening of a US Justice Department investigation into Abu Aqleh’s murder, saying on Twitter that Israel had made it clear to the US “that we will not cooperate with any external investigation”. “We will not allow interference in Israel’s internal affairs,” he added. Gantz, who is set to step down after elections earlier this month returned former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to power, was defense minister when Abu Akleh was killed. The decision by the US Department of Justice to investigate the tragic death of Shireen Abu Akleh is a mistake. The IDF conducted a professional, independent investigation, which was presented to US officials with whom the details were shared. —@gantzbe
The family called for a full investigation
A Palestinian from Jerusalem who covered Israeli operations in the Palestinian territories for years, Abu Akleh was a household name among many Arabs in the Middle East. Her death sparked outrage around the world, shining a spotlight on Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Palestinian officials, Abu Akleh’s family and Al Jazeera accuse Israel of deliberately killing the journalist, who was wearing a helmet and protective vest emblazoned with the word “Type” when she was shot on May 11 in the occupied West Bank. In September, Israel acknowledged for the first time that Israeli fire likely killed Abu Akleh. But the military has not taken responsibility for her death, strongly denying that a soldier deliberately targeted her and refusing to prosecute those involved. WATCHES | Shireen Abu Akleh was killed while covering the Israeli military raid:
Al Jazeera reporter killed during Israeli raid in West Bank
Veteran Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed while covering an Israeli military raid in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. An earlier assessment by the State Department also indicated that the bullet that killed Abu Aqleh was likely fired from an Israeli military position, but it was too damaged to tell for sure. A series of independent investigations by the United Nations and international media, including the Associated Press, found that Israeli troops likely fired the fatal bullet. Palestinian Foreign Ministry officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment late Monday. A spokesman for outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid declined to comment, and Netanyahu, who is expected to return to lead the country in the coming weeks, also had no immediate comment. Abu Akleh’s brother, Tony Abu Akleh, told Al Jazeera that the family was optimistic about the reports of a US investigation, saying it is “very important that those responsible are held accountable and similar crimes are prevented”. “We hope this will be a turning point in the investigation into Shireen’s death,” he said. The Council on American-Islamic Relations welcomed the reported investigation, expressing hope that “our nation will finally hold Israel accountable for its violence against American citizens, journalists and other civilians.” Yellow tape marks bullet holes in a tree and a portrait and flowers form a makeshift memorial in Jenin on May 19, at the site where Abu Aqleh was killed eight days earlier. (Majdi Mohammed/The Associated Press)
Rare research in a US ally country
It is not unusual for the FBI or other US investigators to conduct investigations into unnatural deaths or injuries of US citizens abroad, particularly if they are government employees. However, such separate investigations are not the norm and are extremely rare in a US-allied country like Israel, which is recognized in Washington as having a credible and independent judiciary. Human rights groups have long accused the Israeli military of failing to properly investigate wrongdoing by its troops and of rarely holding the forces accountable. Israel claims its investigations are independent and professional. Abu Akleh was covering an Israeli military raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, long a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The area has been the focus of months of nighttime Israeli arrest operations that began after a series of Palestinian attacks on Israelis in the spring that killed 19 people. More than 130 Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the West Bank have been killed this year, making 2022 the deadliest year since 2006. Israel says most of the dead were fighters, but local youth protesting the raids as well as people who did not take part in the fighting have also been killed. Increasing Israeli incursions have sparked a series of Palestinian shooting attacks that have killed at least four Israelis in recent weeks. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, left, and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Gantz, who is set to step down after elections earlier this month returned Netanyahu to power, was defense minister when Abu Aklech was killed in May. (Corinna Kern, Amir Cohen/Reuters) Reports of a US probe come after long-serving Netanyahu secured a return to power in Israel’s national elections. He is in the middle of talks with his ultra-Orthodox and ultra-nationalist allies to form a coalition and is expected to put together Israel’s most right-wing government in history. The government, which is expected to see extremist lawmakers appointed to key ministries, has alarmed Israel’s allies, including the US
