the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbasclaimed Thursday that the Israeli authorities are “fully responsible” for the murder of a seasoned reporter for Al-Jazeera during the clashes in the occupied West Bank and called for an international investigation.
Shireen Abu Akleh suffered a gunshot wound to the head in Jenin on Wednesday. Al Jazeera and Qatar, where the news network is based, blamed Israeli troops for her death.
Israel, which has expressed regret over the death of Abu Akleh, has stated that it is investigating the case and that the fatal shot may have been fired by Palestinian gunmen. He has proposed a joint investigation with the Palestinians, asking them to provide the bullet for examination.
“We reject the joint investigation with the Israeli occupation authorities because they have committed the crime and because we do not trust them,” Abbas said during an official memorial service for Abu Aklehwho was Palestinian-American.
He added that the Palestinian Authority “will immediately go to the International Criminal Court to locate the criminals.”
Abu Akleh, 51, wore a blue vest clearly marked “Press” while reporting in Jenin, according to Al Jazeera. He was covering the latest arrest operation launched by the Israeli Army amid deadly Arab attacks in Israel.
Another Palestinian journalist present at the scene, ali samodihe was hurt.
Abu Akleh’s body was taken in a convoy from a hospital in the Palestinian city of Ramallah to Abbas’ compound. Hundreds of mourners lined both sides of the road, some throwing flowers.
The death drew international condemnation, including from the White House, which called for a “thorough investigation”.