Jenin, 12 May 2022 (TDI): The head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO), Audrey Azoulay, condemned the killing of a veteran Palestinian-American journalist while reporting on an Israeli military operation in the West Bank town of Jenin. murder

According to media reports, the shooting also wounded her producer. OHCHR has urged an independent and transparent investigation of a brutal journalist shot dead and to end impunity. 

According to the sources, the journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, 51, was shot despite wearing a jacket with ‘press’ written on it. She was filming for UN World Press Freedom Day in Gaza by highlighting the threats journalists face every day. 

“The killing of an identified press worker in a conflict area is a violation of international law. I call on the relevant authorities to investigate this crime and bring those responsible to justice”, added Azoulay. 

Call for investigation Worldwide

The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace process Tor Wennesland offered his condolence to the journalist’s family on Twitter. He also wished a speedy recovery to the wounded producer. 

“I call for an immediate and thorough investigation and for those responsible to be held accountable. Media workers should never be targeted,” said Wennesland. 

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lynn Hastings, emphasized the risks journalists encounter in news reporting and stressed prompt investigations for accountability.

US Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib has called for an investigation of the shooting by the American government. While referring to Israel, she emphasized that Washington prohibits the same people committing those war crimes from doing the investigation. 

“We need to investigate, ourselves, the killing of an American citizen. Somebody that was out there being a guardian of truth and doing her job was murdered by an apartheid government that we continue to fund with unconditional aid,” Tlaib said. 

The Arab and Middle Eastern Journalist Association (AMEJA) has called for an independent and transparent investigation of the actions that led to the killing. The organization also stressed on accountability of the perpetrators of the shooting.Â