Unraveling the Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh: The Issue of Accountability

The webinar, hosted by Arab Center Washington DC (ACW), featured experts and journalists who expressed profound skepticism regarding the possibility of an independent investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh. Panelists Abderrahim Foukara and Phyllis Bennis argued that while the Biden administration officially calls for accountability, the deep-seated strategic and military relationship between the US and Israel—buttressed by $3.8 billion in annual aid—creates a significant lack of political will to pursue a transparent inquiry. They highlighted a perceived double standard where Washington avoids international law in favor of a self-imposed "rules-based order," effectively shielding its allies from legal consequences and the enforcement of statutes like the Leahy Law.

Beyond the geopolitical implications, the panel emphasized that Abu Akleh’s killing is emblematic of a broader, systemic pattern of Israeli impunity toward the press. Sherif Mansour and Dalia Hatuqa noted that 18 journalists have been killed covering Palestine in recent years, suggesting that "trigger-happy" policies and a lack of FBI intervention for an American citizen send a dangerous message that the lives of journalists are expendable. The discussion concluded by honoring Abu Akleh’s legacy as a trailblazing media fixture for millions, while noting that the "shock and disbelief" among her peers stems from the conviction that a highly cautious, veteran reporter was the victim of a targeted killing for which justice remains "unfathomable" under current circumstances.