CMEP Joins Christian Faith Leaders in Writing in Support of Accountability for the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, joined 25 other Christian Faith leaders – including Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), United Church of Christ, and Global Ministries leadership – in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken in support of a U.S.-led investigation into the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot and killed during an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operation on May 11, 2022 in the West Bank town of Jenin. Numerous reputable news outlets and research groups have conducted investigations that all came to the same conclusion: Shireen Abu Akleh was likely shot by Israeli forces while she was wearing protective gear clearly marked ‘PRESS’ despite there being no signs of Palestinian gunfire in the area. Israel has failed to conduct a thorough investigation and no individuals have been held accountable for her death. 

Recent media reports that there is an FBI-led investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh are a welcome development.

In the letter, published in full here, the leaders write, “After more than four months, no adequate investigation has been conducted. Particularly because Ms. Abu Akleh was a U.S. citizen deserving of the full protection of her rights by her government, the U.S. government must ensure that those responsible for her death are held fully accountable and that any role U.S. defense materials or services might have had in her killing is thoroughly documented.”