New documentary claims to identify Israeli soldier who killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
KUALA LUMPUR: A new documentary claims to identify the Israeli soldier who fatally shot Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the occupied West Bank in 2022.
Abu Akleh, a 51-year-old Palestinian-American, was wearing a helmet and flak jacket clearly marked "Press" when she was killed while covering an Israeli military raid in Jenin on May 11, 2022.
Her death drew international condemnation. Under pressure from the United States, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) later admitted there was a "high possibility" she was shot by an Israeli soldier, though it insisted the killing was unintentional, according to CNN on Thursday.
The documentary "Who Killed Shireen?," produced by independent outlet Zeteo, suggests otherwise. It alleges the Biden administration privately concluded the shooting was deliberate but refrained from saying so publicly to avoid straining ties with Israel.
A former US official interviewed in the film says the soldier "would have absolutely known" Abu Akleh was a non-combatant.
The documentary does not clarify how the official obtained this information but cites a source saying they had direct knowledge of internal US assessments.
An Israeli soldier interviewed anonymously claims the shooter belonged to the elite Duvdevan unit and identified him by name.
CNN, which was involved in earlier investigations, has not independently verified this claim and did not publish the name.
"When you open the corner and you have this second to take a decision... and you see someone who hold a camera... you don't need more than that to shoot the bullet," the soldier said.
The alleged shooter was reportedly killed in June 2024 by a roadside explosive during an operation in Jenin. His family said he died while rescuing wounded medics.
In response, the IDF criticised the decision to name the soldier, saying there was no definitive finding confirming he was responsible for the journalist's death.
A July 2022 US State Department report concluded that the IDF was "likely responsible" for the shooting but found "no reason to believe" the act was intentional.
The documentary claims this conclusion was softened under internal political pressure.
Since Abu Akleh's death, press freedoms in the region have further deteriorated.
In May 2024, Israel banned Al Jazeera from operating in the country and the West Bank, and sealed its Ramallah office.
Press groups say at least 175 journalists have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its campaign following Hamas's Oct 7, 2023 attacks.
US Senator Chris Van Hollen, who appears in the film, criticised Washington's handling of the case, saying stronger action after Abu Akleh's death might have prevented further civilian casualties.
In a statement to CNN, her family said: "Our calls for justice have never been about one individual soldier, but rather the entire chain of command... Only then can there be any hope for real closure, not just for Shireen, but for every journalist and family seeking truth."
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