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Israeli President Isaac Herzog has rejected CNN reports suggesting that Israeli forces are to blame for the death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Earlier this month, there was an international scandal over the assassination of Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist and Al Jazeera veteran who was shot dead during a conflict between Israel’s IDF. and Palestinians in the West Bank despite wearing a vest that identified itself as a member of the press.
The question of who was responsible for Abu Akleh’s death has sparked heated debate on both sides.
However, CNN released a report this week alleging that not only were Israeli forces responsible for his death, but that Abu Akleh was killed “in a targeted attack.”
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“A CNN investigation provides new evidence, including two videos of the shooting scene, that there was no active fighting, no Palestinian militant, near Abu Akleh in the run-up to his death,” he said. the report on Tuesday. “Videos obtained by CNN, corroborated by the testimony of eight eyewitnesses, an audio forensic analyst and an expert on explosive weapons, suggest that Abu Akleh was shot dead in a targeted attack by Israeli forces.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Tributes are received to the murdered Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in a protest and vigil at the BBC Broadcasting House on May 12, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Guy Smallman / Getty Images) (Guy Smallman / Getty Images)
The CNN report said it reviewed “11 videos” from different angles of the Israeli military convoy “before, during and after the death of Abu Akleh,” but noted that eyewitnesses who filmed the incident “they don’t catch the moment she is hit with the bullet” as they were also in the line of fire.
“They were firing directly at journalists,” said American Arab University professor Jamal Huwail, who reportedly “helped drag Abu Akleh’s lifeless body off the road.”
Witnesses told CNN that Palestinian militants were not at the scene of the attack in the West Bank where Abu Akleh was killed.
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The IDF told CNN that it is conducting its investigation into the death of Abu Akleh and “they are asking the Palestinian Authority to cooperate with a joint forensic examination with US representatives to conclusively determine the origin. of the tragic death “.
The Israeli military previously acknowledged that it was unclear which side fired the deadly shot, and its initial findings suggest it may have been hit by Palestinian gunmen or an Israeli sniper 200 meters (about 656 feet) away.
During a meeting at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, Herzog described the killing as a “very sad event” and reiterated his call for a joint investigation with the Palestinians, which he said had been “denied.”
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND – MAY 25: Israeli President Isaac Herzog attends the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on May 25, 2022. (Photo by Dursun Aydemir / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) (Dursun Aydemir / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Images)
“They grabbed the body, they grabbed the bullet and none of the scenarios can be corroborated without these facts,” Herzog said. “And Israel was open and transparent and offered the United States to join this investigative process as well because we attach great importance to and respect the freedom of expression and work of journalists and media channels.”
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“In the past we have gone through cases where we have been blamed and then the truth has transpired that there were many false facts,” the Israeli president continued. “That’s what I said. Don’t rely on any false facts. Study the facts. The facts can be studied scientifically. Unfortunately, the Palestinians refused to cooperate.”
CNN did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.