US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke to the brother of al-Jazeera journalist Sheerin Abu Akala, who was killed by gunfire in Jenin, during a clash between IDF and local terrorists.
In the conversation, Blinken referred to the events that developed at the journalist's funeral: "I must tell you that I was very horrified by the images of Israeli forces attacking the funeral procession and raised this concern with the Israeli government with a demand for immediate investigation.
Journalist Sheerin Abu Akala, Photo: Social Networks
On investigating her death, he said: "We will continue to press for an investigation. I above all want to convey to you our deepest condolences on the loss of Sheerin. This is an unnecessary tragedy on so many levels."
Blinkan spoke with Abu Akala's brother because she was an American citizen, and described his appreciation for her: "I knew her work and admired what she did. She was - quite literally - a voice for the Palestinians for decades."
The US Secretary of State signed: "On a personal level I am sad for you about your loss, and on a professional level I am sad about a loss for the world."
Significant explanatory damage
The Foreign Ministry held a "damage control" discussion yesterday following the violent photos from the funeral.
The conclusion of the discussion was that the incident did not cause political damage but did cause significant explanatory damage, especially after the partial success of Israel's information campaigns to sow doubt in the world, who killed the journalist Abu Akala.
Even before the conversation with the family, the State Department was disturbed by the public criticism of US President Biden and Blinken over the photos from the funeral.
Sources who participated in the hearing harshly criticized the police officers' performance at the funeral and the fact that a senior commander was not present.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Photo: Noam Rivkin Fenton
"The police knew in advance that this would be an event with great international resonance. There was a preparatory call the night before the funeral. Despite this, there was no senior commander on the ground. Neither the commissioner, nor his deputy, nor the district commander or his deputy. The police investigation, "said the Foreign Ministry official.
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