Palestinian journalist Ali al-Samoudi recalled how medics had to restrain him as the body of his colleague Shireen Abu Akleh arrived at Ibn Sina hospital in the occupied West Bank. He tried to reach her but was held back.
“I managed to look and see Shireen lying next to me. I couldn’t believe the situation. I started screaming, and I tried to get to her. They didn’t let me,” al-Samoudi told Al Jazeera, recounting the events of May 11, 2022.
Earlier that day, Israeli soldiers had shot al-Samoudi in the back before killing Abu Akleh, a US citizen and veteran Al Jazeera correspondent renowned across the Arab world.
Monday marks the fourth anniversary of Abu Akleh's killing. Al Jazeera immediately denounced it as an assassination in “cold blood.” Since then, Israel has killed hundreds of journalists and more than 10 US citizens in Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank.
None of the killings, including Abu Akleh's case, have led to any arrests or charges. Advocates say Washington’s failure to ensure accountability set the stage for greater Israeli abuses against the press.
“The absence of accountability, the absence of justice, the absence of the law and the failure to prosecute the perpetrators of the crime of assassination of Shireen led to these miseries that we are witnessing and the systemic and widespread killing of journalists,” al-Samoudi said.
He argued the US has a special responsibility because Abu Akleh was an American citizen and due to Washington’s close ties to Israel, which provides billions in military aid and diplomatic cover.
“If the US had imposed the appropriate measures and sanctions against Israel over the killing of Shireen, it may have saved hundreds of Palestinian journalists and civilians,” al-Samoudi said, calling on US officials to “wake up.”
James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, echoed that: “The US is the only power that could play a role here. It has levers it chooses not to use.”
While Israeli officials confirmed in late 2022 that the US opened an investigation, it has not led to any public reports or criminal charges. Al-Samoudi said he was interviewed only once with no follow-up.
Martin Roux, head of the crisis desk at Reporters Without Borders (RSF), said the killing sent a message that “Israel would be free to terrorise Palestinian journalists without consequence.”
Al-Samoudi stressed he is certain they were targeted: “We entered the street. There were no fighters, no clashes. We were alone. Then the first shot rang.” He noted Abu Akleh was shot in the neck, a small exposed area between her helmet and vest.
Over the past four years, Israel has become the top killer of journalists worldwide. In the West Bank, press freedom is under attack. Al-Samoudi was released only this month after a year in administrative detention.
“They want to stop us from doing our work, especially that we are the friends and colleagues of Shireen. We have said, and we will continue to say, ‘the coverage continues.’ Shireen Abu Akleh’s voice will not be silenced,” al-Samoudi said.
Source: www.aljazeera.com