Family of Shireen Abu Akleh visits DC to press for probe into her death

The family of slain Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is pressing the United States for an independent probe and accountability from Israel on a visit to Washington at the invitation of Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The family, which is also meeting lawmakers, says it is calling for the United States to launch its own “thorough, credible independent and transparent investigation” into Abu Akleh’s murder.

“For far too long, the United States has enabled Israel to kill with impunity by providing weapons, immunity, and diplomatic cover,” Shireen’s brother Tony Abu Akleh and her niece and nephew say in a statement. “Impunity leads to repetition. We are here to do our part to ensure that this cycle ends,” they say.

Abu Akleh, an Al Jazeera journalist and a prominent Palestinian reporter, was killed on May 11 during clashes between IDF troops and Palestinian gunmen as she covered an Israeli army operation in the Jenin area of the West Bank. The US released a statement on July 4 saying she was likely shot by Israeli fire but that there was no evidence her killing was intentional and that the bullet was too damaged for a conclusive finding.

Israel says it is still probing her death and rejects suggestions it targeted a journalist.