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WASHINGTON (JTA) — A bipartisan slate of 25 Congress members, together with a quantity who’re near the pro-Israel neighborhood, referred to as on the Biden administration to strain the Palestinian Authority to launch the bullet that killed a Palestinian reporter for an impartial investigation.
“We urge you to ask the Palestinian Authority to offer entry to the forensic proof in [Shireen] Abu Akleh’s demise for an impartial investigation so that each one events can attain a definitive conclusion concerning the occasions resulting in her demise, and maintain all events accountable,” stated the letter despatched Friday and spearheaded by Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Jewish New Jersey Democrat.
The signatories, 14 Democrats and 11 Republicans, embody lawmakers recognized for his or her shut ties to the center-right pro-Israel neighborhood, amongst them Democrats Gottheimer and Donald Norcross of New Jersey; Virginia Democrat Elaine Luria; and Democrat Juan Vargas and Republican Younger Kim, each from California.
Israel desires to collectively examine the Might 11 killing of Abu Akleh, a honored Al Jazeera journalist, with the Palestinian Authority, and have america appearing as an observer. The Palestinian Authority rejects any Israeli position within the investigation and has referred to as on the Worldwide Felony Courtroom to launch a case in opposition to Israel.
Abu Akleh was an American citizen. Israel contends that it has narrowed the probably supply of the gunfire to 2 sources: Israeli troopers or Palestinian militants. It says it wants to check the bullet in opposition to the Israelis’ rifle to render a extra definitive conclusion.
Final month, 57 Democrats despatched a letter to Blinken and to the FBI urgent for a U.S. investigation. The letter appeared to position extra credence in variations of occasions that blamed Israeli troopers for the capturing. Two main media shops, CNN and the Related Press, stated Israeli troopers had been the probably culprits.
The Gottheimer letter stated an investigation was “important” to resolving a difficulty that impinged on press freedoms.
“Ms. Abu Akleh was one in every of eighteen journalists who’ve misplaced their lives this yr in the middle of their work,” it stated. “A free press is significant to an accountable, democratic authorities. No journalist ought to face threats or violence for doing their job.”
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