The YWCA of Palestine Condemns the Killing of Prominent Palestinian-American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
On Wednesday 11 May 2022, Palestine lost one of its icons, 51-year-old Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot dead by Israeli forces while covering army raids in the city of Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank. The fact that she was clearly and easily identified as a journalist through her press vest assures that the killing was a deliberate act.
Shireen was a Long-time reporter for Al Jazeera Arabic and one of Palestine’s prominent female journalists. Throughout her 30-year career, she was dedicated to bringing Palestinian voices to the world and defending the rights of Palestinians to live in peace and security.
According to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, Israel has killed an estimated 50 Palestinian journalists since 2000—a systematic attempt to silence the voice of truth and cover up its war crimes against Palestinians.
Israel’s systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists and continued violations of the freedom of the press are a breach of international law and international humanitarian law under which “media professionals are classified as civilians and are entitled to protection as such in all situations of armed conflict.”
UNSCR1325 reaffirms the important role of women in conflict resolution and prevention, peace-building, and humanitarian response and calls on all parties to a conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls. Shireen was not only a journalist but a model for the resilient and defiant Palestinian women who speak up for justice.
The YWCA of Palestine strongly condemns the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and demands a swift and transparent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. We call on the international community to take concrete measures to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes and continued violations of Palestinians’ rights.
We express our deepest condolences to Shireen’s family, colleagues, friends, and all Palestinians.
The truth can never be silenced…Rest in power Shireen!