He shot Shireen Abu Akleh and they covered it up | Featured Documentary

Key Concepts

• Shireen Abu Akleh: Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist killed in the West Bank.
• Israeli Occupation of Palestine: The ongoing political and military control of Palestinian territories by Israel.
• Press Vest and Helmet: Protective gear worn by journalists to identify them as media personnel.
• IDF (Israel Defense Forces): The military forces of Israel.
• Misinformation and Disinformation: The deliberate spread of false or misleading information.
• Duvdevan Unit: An elite Israeli special forces unit.
• Rules of Engagement: Protocols governing the use of force by military personnel.
• Accountability: The obligation to accept responsibility for one's actions.
• Impunity: Exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.
• Crossfire: Fire from two opposing sides in a conflict.
• Targeting: The act of selecting and attacking a specific person or object.
• Manslaughter/Third-Degree Murder: Legal terms for unlawful killing.
• Professional Integrity: Adherence to ethical principles and standards in one's profession.

Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh and Subsequent Investigation

This report details the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist for Al Jazeera, on May 11, 2022, while she was covering an Israeli raid in Jenin, West Bank. Abu Akleh was wearing a helmet and body armor clearly marked as "Press" when she was shot. Her producer, Ali Samuri, was injured in the same incident.

Initial Israeli Response and Shifting Narratives

• Immediate Blame: The IDF's initial public statements attempted to shift responsibility for Abu Akleh's death onto Palestinians, suggesting there was "overwhelming gunfire from Palestinians."
• Prime Minister's Statement: Then-Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett publicly blamed Palestinians for her killing, asserting that Israeli soldiers would never intentionally target a journalist clearly identified as press.
• US Administration's Initial Stance: The Biden administration initially called for the shooter to be prosecuted, emphasizing President Biden's stance against attacks on American citizens.

Unraveling the Israeli Narrative

• Lack of Palestinian Gunmen: Eyewitness accounts and subsequent investigations revealed that there were no Palestinian gunmen near Abu Akleh or her team at the time of the shooting.
• Eyewitness and Video Evidence: Journalists at the scene and video evidence corroborated that the fatal shots originated from Israeli forces positioned approximately 200 meters away.
• IDF Narrative Collapse: Within days, the IDF's initial account was undermined by overwhelming evidence, with investigative work by media and other agencies confirming the inaccuracy of the IDF's initial statement.
• Israeli Admission: After months of evading responsibility, Israel eventually admitted that one of its soldiers had killed Abu Akleh.

US Investigation and Lack of Accountability

• Refusal to Cooperate: American officials stated they could not determine if Abu Akleh's killing was a crime without interviewing the shooter, but Israel refused to cooperate and make the soldier available for questioning.
• Classified Report: The Biden administration produced a classified report on Abu Akleh's death but refused to release it publicly. Senator Van Holland, who read the report, called for its declassification, stating there was nothing in it that shouldn't be public.
• US Officials' Reluctance: Many US officials, even those who worked on the investigation, were reluctant to discuss the details, leading to a perception that the full truth remained obscured.
• Shift in US Tone: The Biden administration's tone shifted from demanding prosecution of the shooter to making vague calls for accountability once it became clear an Israeli soldier was responsible.

The Role of Misinformation and Obfuscation

• Intentional Obscuring of Facts: The report highlights how Israel used misinformation and disinformation to obscure the facts for months following Abu Akleh's death.
• Misleading Video: Prime Minister Bennett's use of a video of Palestinian gunmen in an alleyway to suggest a "high likelihood" of Palestinian involvement was later shown to be misleading, as the alleyway was not where Abu Akleh was shot.

The Shooter and the Duvdevan Unit

• Focus on the Shooter: The investigation focused on identifying the specific IDF soldier responsible.
• Duvdevan Unit Connection: Information pointed towards the Duvdevan unit, an elite Israeli special forces unit, as the likely source of the fatal shot.
• Initial Conclusion of Intentional Killing: A key Biden administration official, speaking anonymously, stated that based on the evidence, it was an "intentional killing" of a media person or non-combatant, even if the specific identity of Abu Akleh was not known. The official believed the soldier would have seen her press vest.
• Shift to "Tragic Accident": This initial conclusion of intentional killing was later shifted to "tragic accident" within the administration, reportedly to avoid angering the Israeli government and straining US-Israel relations.

Identification of the Shooter: Alon Scajio

• Investigative Efforts: Journalists, particularly Ari and Conor, pursued leads in Israel and Washington D.C. to identify the shooter.
• Contact with Duvdevan Member: Through contacts, they learned of a soldier from the Duvdevan unit who was present at the scene and potentially the shooter.
• Confirmation of Identity: After extensive investigation, including speaking with individuals connected to the unit and examining memorial pages, the shooter was identified as Alon Scajio.
• Discrepancies in Official Records: While Scajio was identified as a member of the Duvdevan unit and a sniper, his official death record indicated he was in a different unit, suggesting a potential cover-up or attempt to distance him from the incident.
• Allegations of Target Practice: It was reported that after Scajio's death, his unit allegedly used Abu Akleh's photograph for target practice due to anger over her killing staining his name.

Broader Implications and Lack of Justice

• Failure to Hold Accountable: The report argues that the US government failed to hold Israel accountable for Abu Akleh's death.
• Impact on Rules of Engagement: Despite calls from the Biden administration for changes in Israeli rules of engagement following Abu Akleh's killing, no significant changes were observed.
• Further Deaths: Senator Van Holland and other officials believe that the US failure to act decisively after Abu Akleh's death contributed to the deaths of other Americans and journalists in the region.
• "Shoot First, Ask Questions Later" Philosophy: The IDF's operational philosophy is described as potentially leading to situations where innocent bystanders are harmed, with a focus on engaging perceived targets.
• Impunity for Israeli Soldiers: The lack of accountability for the killing of Abu Akleh is seen as creating a climate of impunity, where Israeli soldiers can act without fear of consequences.
• Impact on Palestinian Journalists: The killing of Abu Akleh has instilled fear among Palestinian journalists, making them question their safety and professional credibility. Many now live with the constant fear that each day could be their last.
• Shireen's Legacy: Abu Akleh is remembered as a voice of peace and a symbol of professional integrity, whose honesty and dedication left a profound mark on a generation.

Conclusion

The report concludes that the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh was not an accident but a deliberate act, and that the Israeli government covered it up. It criticizes the Biden administration for failing to secure accountability for the death of an American citizen and argues that this failure has had tragic consequences, leading to further loss of life. The investigation highlights the challenges faced by journalists in conflict zones and the importance of truth and accountability in the pursuit of justice.