Three years have passed since the killing of American-Palestinian Shireen Abu Akleh by the Israeli military. Shireen Abu Akleh’s portrait now hangs in the “Journalists’ Altar” in St Bride’s Church on Fleet Street, a sacred place of memorial for those who have died, been kidnapped, or whose fate is unknown.
St Bride’s Church, steeped in London’s rich journalistic history and known as the only church in the world dedicated to journalists, honours those who gave their lives in pursuit of truth. Shireen’s portrait, lighted by candlelight, now sits among these heroes, guaranteeing that her memory lives on and inspires others dedicated to relaying the stories of the oppressed.
Three Years On: The Fight for Accountability
Shireen was shot while covering a raid in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank, on May 11 2022, despite her wearing a helmet and a blue vest marked press. Three years after Shireen Abu Akleh was killed, she is still not being held accountable. Al Jazeera Media Network, her employer, called the murder a “cold-blooded assassination.” Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces in Palestine have targeted and assassinated a growing number of journalists, including Abu Akleh.
Three years following Shireen Abu Akleh’s murder, there has still been no accountability in her case. Al Jazeera Media, her employer at the time, called the murder a “cold-blooded assassination.” Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces in Palestine have targeted and assassinated a growing number of journalists, including Abu Akleh.
The Israeli authorities attempted to blame Palestinian militants on the ground for Abu Akleh’s death. Journalists on the scene, however, swiftly rejected the claim by confirming that it was Israeli soldiers who were responsible for the gunshots that killed their colleague.
Due to international pressure from the United States, since Shireen Abu Akleh was an American citizen and mounting witness statements, four months later, Israel was forced to admit there was a “high probability” that its soldiers were responsible for her killing. However, no specific soldier was named, and no additional details were provided to the U.S. government to enable prosecution.
In July 2022, the United States released the results of an independent ballistic and forensic study. They were unable to determine whether there had been a deliberate attempt to kill the reporter, even though they did disclose that the bullet that killed Abu Akleh had most likely been fired from an Israeli military position.
The Silenced Voice of Palestine: Shireen Abu Akleh
More than a reporter Abu Akleh was a consistent voice for the Palestinian people. She was born in Jerusalem in 1971 and driven by a wish to share the tales of her people with the world, she went to study journalism at Yarmouk University in Jordan. Joining Al Jazeera in 1997, she became one of its first field correspondents and fast rose to fame for her bold reporting during the Second Intifada.
Shireen documented crucial episodes in Palestinian history for 25 years, from Israel’s invasion of the West Bank in 2002 to the continuing conflict in Gaza. Her reportage was not restricted to violence, she also covered cultural traditions such as Palestinian embroidery and the obstacles that students experience while under occupation. She lived the life that she spoke about. Her calm demeanour and steadfast commitment made her a trusted figure in many households.
