US, IDF criticized by dovish groups over Abu Akleh

The B’Tselem human rights organization is criticizing the US for saying that the alleged shooting of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by Israeli troops was “the result of tragic circumstances,” calling the State Department’s conclusion a form of whitewashing.

“All investigations published so far conclude that Israel is responsible for the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. It is not clear on what grounds does the US State Department seek to dismiss her killing,” B’Tselem tweets.

It says the US should treat the killing as a crime and seek justice.

“As far as Israel is concerned, its policy regarding the killing of Palestinians has never been anything other than an organized whitewash,” it tweets. “The odds that those responsible for the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh will be held to account are all but nonexistent. Meanwhile, Israel’s international impunity remains unchallenged.”

Yesh Din, another dovish Israeli group, says of the US announcement: “Shows once again why there is no trust in the IDF spokesman or the army, which rushed to say that the bullet was not Israeli.”

It calls for an independent international probe.

MK Aida Touma Suleiman says in a statement that she will keep fighting to see those responsible for Abu Akleh’s death brought to justice, “from the soldier who squeezed the trigger to the politicians responsible for the policies and for hiding the truth.”