Anger in Israel after the announcement of the opening of an FBI investigation into the circumstances of the death of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, the star of the television channel Al Jazeera. For the Israelis, it is an intrusion into the internal affairs of their country.
With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Michael Paul
This is unprecedented in Israel-US relations, and Israeli leaders are reacting angrily. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz calls the US decision a big mistake. ” Israel, he proclaims, does not intend to cooperate with any outside investigation. » « We support our soldiers, says Benny Gantz againand will not tolerate any interference in the internal affairs of Israel. »
The Israeli military conducted two internal investigations into the case and ultimately concluded that the bullet that fatally struck the Palestinian-American reporter came from an Israeli weapon, but was shot unintentional. A version contradicted by at least five independent investigations.
Last May, 57 American Democratic congressmen called for an FBI investigation into this tragedy. As for the family of Shireen Abu Aklehafter trying the same thing in the United States, she finally filed a formal complaint with the International Criminal Court last September.
►Read: Investigation clarifies how journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was deliberately killed by the Israeli army