Blinken says U.S. will 'follow facts' on Abu Akleh killing

When asked why no repercussions for Israel after killing of the Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist, Secretary of State says facts 'have not yet been established' in order to pursue an 'independent, credible investigation'
AFP|
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised Tuesday to pursue accountability over the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh wherever facts lead, amid heated dispute between Israeli and Palestinian authorities on how she died.
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  • The well-known Al Jazeera journalist, a Palestinian-American, was killed on May 11 as she was covering an Israeli army operation in the Jenin camp in the north of the West Bank.
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    אנתוני בלינקן, שירין אבו עאקלה
    אנתוני בלינקן, שירין אבו עאקלה
    Antony Blinken, Shireen Abu Akleh
    (Photo: AFP)
    Appearing at a forum for student journalists on the sidelines of a Latin America summit in Los Angeles, Blinken was confronted by a a question on why there have been "absolutely no repercussions" for Israel, a historic U.S. ally.
    "I'm sorry, with respect, they have not yet been established," Blinken said of the facts behind the case.
    "We are looking for an independent, credible investigation. When that investigation happens, we will follow the facts, wherever they lead. It's as straightforward as that," he said.
    Blinken, who has spoken to her family, said: "I deplore the loss of Shireen. She was a remarkable journalist, an American citizen."
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    עצרת זיכרון לשירין אבו עאקלה בניו יורק
    עצרת זיכרון לשירין אבו עאקלה בניו יורק
    Memorial rally for Shireen Abu Akleh in New York
    (Photo: EPA)
    A Palestinian probe said that an Israeli soldier shot her dead in what it described as a war crime. A CNN report, quoting witnesses, also said that she appeared to have been killed in a targeted attack by Israeli forces.
    Israeli authorities have countered that Abu Akleh could have been killed by stray fire from a Palestinian gunman in the area or mistakenly by an Israeli soldier.
    Dozens of lawmakers from Blinken's Democratic Party have called on the FBI to lead an investigation to seek an impartial finding into her death.
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