Corrine Zahra- Corrine Zahra
Shireen Abu Akleh: The Palestinian Journalist That Was Murdered
Who Was Shireen Abu Akleh?
Shireen Abu Akleh was an American-Palestinian woman who spent over 25 years working as a journalist for the Qatar-based Arab news network ‘Al Jazeera’.
Abu Akleh, who was of Christian faith, lived & worked in East Jerusalem, which forms part of the Occupied Palestine Territory.
Her coverage mainly focused on the Middle East conflict between Palestinians & Israelis.
Last Wednesday, she was shot & killed while reporting on a raid of the West Bank city of Jenin by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
What Happened?
Trigger Warning: Scenes of Graphic Violence
Via New York Times
Multiple witnesses said that it’s more likely she was shot by IDF forces than Palestinians. Abu Akleh’s killing would then form part of the systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists.
Abu Akleh was wearing her press uniform.
This gear is standard & meant to distinguish journalists from crowds & combatants. It signals to all sides that they are not to be targeted.
But at least 19 journalists have been killed in Israel & the Palestinian territories since 1992.
Her Funeral
Via Al Jazeera
As the casket was carried out of a Jerusalem hospital’s gates, Israeli police attacked mourners with batons & set off stun grenades. The pallbearers almost dropped Abu Akleh’s coffin.