Shireen Abu Akleh

Palestinian-American journalist (1971–2022)

Shireen Abu Akleh (3 April 1971 – 11 May 2022) was a Palestinian-American journalist. She worked as a reporter for the Arabic-language channel of Al Jazeera for 25 years until her assassination. She was born in Jerusalem.[3] She was seen as a role model by many upcoming talented Palestinian and Arab journalists, particularly women.[3]

Shireen Abu Akleh
شيرين أبو عاقلة‎
Shireen Abu Akleh in Jerusalem
Born(1971-04-03)April 3, 1971[1]
Died (aged 51)
Cause of deathAssassination (gunshot wound)
CitizenshipPalestinian, American
Alma materYarmouk University
OccupationJournalist
EmployerAl Jazeera
Known forCoverage of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict

Early life change

Abu Akleh was born on 3 April 1971 in Jerusalem to an Arab Christian family. She spent time in the United States, obtaining U.S. citizenship through members of her mother's family who lived in New Jersey.[4]

As a child, her parents would often tell her stories of a Palestine that existed before Israel was established. This inspired her to be a voice for Palestine.[3]

After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Yarmouk University in Jordan, Abu Akleh returned to Palestine.[4]

Assassination change

 
Abu Akleh wearing a jacket marked "PRESS" while reporting before she was assassinated

Abu Akleh was assassinated on 11 May 2022 by an Israeli soldier. At the time of her killing she was wearing a blue Press vest and covering a israeli raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. She was aged 51.[5][6]

Reactions change

 
Protesters carrying photos of Shireen Abu Akleh, Lod; May 2022
  • One year after Shireen was killed; Committee to Protect Journalists said that there was a 'deadly pattern' in the way Israel had killed 20 journalists since 2001 and had not hold any of the perpetrators accountable.[7]
  • Kuwait’s foreign ministry said in a statement that,"the country strongly condemned Israeli forces’ killing of Palestinian journalist Abu Akleh."[8]
  • Lebanese President, Michel Aoun said: "The Israeli occupation adds the murder of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh to its bloody history, a new chapter of abuse, aggression and disregard for life and justice."[9]
  • Omar Shakir, the Israel and Palestine director for Human Rights Watch said,"It’s, of course, not a one-off event, we know that Israeli forces systematically have used excessive force. This is an event that needs to be understood in the context of this systemic practice and the killings of many other Palestinian journalists."[8]

References change

  1. "Shireen Abu Akleh remembered on what would have been her 52nd birthday". WAFA Agency. 2023-04-03. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  2. "Al Jazeera's Shireen Abu Akleh: pioneering Palestinian reporter". France 24. May 11, 2022. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022. She was born in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem to a Palestinian Christian family.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "A Look Back at Shireen Abu Akleh: A Journalist Who Inspired Generations". About Her. 21 May 2022.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Remembering Shireen Abu Akleh: One year later". WAFA News Agency. 11 May 2023.
  5. "Shireen Abu Akleh: Al Jazeera reporter killed by Israeli forces". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  6. Abdulrahim, Raja (2022-05-11). "Al Jazeera Journalist Is Killed During Clashes in West Bank". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  7. "Deadly Pattern: 20 journalists died by Israeli military fire in 22 years. No one has been held accountable". Committee to Protect Journalists. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "The world reacts to the killing of Al Jazeera's Shireen Abu Akleh". Al Jazeera.
  9. "Lebanon condemns killing of Palestinian journalist amid Israeli raid". Xinhua News Agency. 12 May 2022.

Other websites change