Al Jazeera takes the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh to the ICC
Al JazeeraNetwork says evidence it presented overturns claims by Israeli authorities that the Palestinian journalist was killed in a crossfire. The Hague, the Netherlands – Al Jazeera Media Network has submitted a formal request to the International Criminal Court to investigate and prosecute those responsible for killing veteran Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Next steps Speaking outside the entrance of the ICC on the cloudy, brisk morning after Al Jazeera submitted its request, Lina Abu Akleh, who wore a badge with her aunt’s face, said the family was hopeful they would see “positive results soon”. Israel initially falsely blamed armed Palestinians for Abu Akleh’s death, but in September said there was a “high probability” an Israeli soldier “accidentally hit” the journalist but that it would not launch a criminal investigation. Hagai El-Ad, director of Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem, which swiftly debunked the false claim by Israel that a Palestinian gunman was responsible for Abu Akleh’s death, told Fault Lines: “They’re also very used to getting away with lying about killings of Palestinians both in the public arena and in the legal arena.” “The reason why Al Jazeera made this request is because the Israeli authorities have done nothing to investigate the case.