Family of Shireen Abu Akleh Responds to Film Naming Israeli Soldier Who Shot Her

New Documentary Identifies Soldier in Shireen Abu Akleh's Killing

• 🎬 A new documentary by Zeteo, titled "Who Killed Shireen," has identified the Israeli soldier allegedly responsible for shooting and killing renowned Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
• 🎯 The film names Alon Scajio as the soldier, who was reportedly killed in an Israeli military operation in June.
• 🇺🇸 The documentary also reveals that the initial U.S. assessment concluded the soldier intentionally shot Abu Akleh, knowing she was wearing a press vest, a finding that was later downplayed by the Biden administration.

Family's Response and Demands for Accountability

• 💔 Shireen Abu Akleh's family, including her brother Anton and niece Lena, expressed pain but also appreciation for the documentary's revelations, particularly concerning the alleged cover-up by the Biden administration.
• ⚖️ The family emphasizes that accountability should extend beyond the individual soldier to the entire chain of command, including military commanders and elected officials.
• 🗣️ Lena Abu Akleh stated that their demands for the U.S. administration to complete its investigation and hold someone accountable have not changed, despite radio silence from the current administration.

Systemic Issues and Targeting of Journalists

• 🚫 The documentary highlights that Israel has never identified the soldier or allowed questioning by U.S. investigators, contributing to a sense of impunity.
• 🎗️ Shireen's brother, Anton, described the soldier's alleged act of using Shireen's face for target practice as a barbaric and unjustified act, indicating a systematic targeting of journalists.
• 🎤 The film features Shireen's producer, Ali Sammoodi, who was with her when she was killed and also injured, detailing the fear and ongoing efforts to silence Palestinian journalists.

Dehumanization and Lack of Protection

• 🧠 Medi Hassan argues that the targeting stems from the dehumanization of Palestinians by the Israeli military and others, where their lives are devalued.
• 📢 He criticizes the Biden administration for joining in this dehumanization, citing his initial skepticism of Palestinian death tolls and failure to raise Shireen's case with Israeli leadership.
• 🛡️ The family notes that Shireen, despite being cautious and clearly identifiable as a journalist, was targeted, and that the Israeli military's stance that press vests do not guarantee protection puts journalists at risk.

Shireen's Legacy and Call to Action

• 🌟 Shireen Abu Akleh is remembered not only as a journalist but also as an empathetic, sincere, and funny person who loved life and advocated for truth and justice.
• 🌍 She humanized Palestinians and celebrated their achievements, touching millions and inspiring many other journalists.
• 📺 The documentary "Who Killed Shireen" is available online at whoKilledShireen.com, with the filmmakers emphasizing the importance of funding independent journalism.