Killing journalists: Qatar expresses ‘deep concern’ over impunity | Israel-Palestine conflict News

Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead by an Israeli sniper in May, but no one has been held responsible.

Qatar has demanded accountability for murder of veteran Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh at a conference on journalists’ safety, saying “Hold Israel accountable”.

Deputy Foreign Minister Lolwah al-Khater addressed participants in Vienna, Austria on Friday, expressing “deep concern over the continued impunity for violations and crimes committed against journalists”.

“The killing of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh highlights that protection and prevention methods are only effective when combined with prosecution mechanisms,” al-Khater said.

On May 11, the Palestinian-American television correspondent for Al Jazeera Arabic arrived in Jenin in the occupied West Bank to report on a raid by Israeli forces on a refugee camp while wearing a protective vest, clearly marked “PRESS”.

Abu Akleh, 51, was standing with other journalists when she was shot in the head by an Israeli sniper.

“Shireen dedicated his life work for to shed light on the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people, she was one of more than 45 journalists killed by Israeli forces since 2000,” al-Khater said.

She stressed the need to work to protect journalists, especially those reporting from conflict zones, and “no exceptions are made when we hold those responsible to account.”

During his speech, al-Khater also shared words from the Abu Akleh family.

“Shireen was targeted while fulfilling her professional duty as a journalist working to cover events and report them to the world. She sacrificed her life, and that is another reason why the international community must confront and hold Israel accountable no matter what,” she said, quoting a family member.

The November 3-4 conference in the Austrian capital marked the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists and the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of impunity.

In September, Israel declared that there was a “strong possibility” that Abu Akleh was “accidentally hit” by Israeli army fire, but added that he would not open a criminal investigation.

Numerous detailed investigations, including by the United Nations, have revealed that Abu Akleh was shot dead by an Israeli soldier.

Her family accused Israel of trying “to obscure the truth and avoid responsibility for the murder of Shireen Abu Akleh”.