Heavy American pressure on Israel to "take responsibility" in the case of the death of journalist Shirin Abu Aqla, was behind the IDF investigation published today (Monday). Since she was killed, and even more so from the moment it became clear that she was an American citizen, the highest ranks demanded that the Israeli government "take responsibility" ".
Documentation of indiscriminate shooting by the Palestinians near the time of Shirin Abu Aqla's death // Photo: IDF spokesperson
President Biden said during his visit to Saudi Arabia that "there needs to be accountability and transparency. Her loss is painful. She was an inspiration to others."
The Secretary of State in Lincoln raised the issue in the first telephone conversation he had with Yair Lapid, immediately after he assumed the position of Prime Minister.
Palestinian journalist Shirin Abu Aqla, photo: Arab Networks
In every meeting held by senior Israeli officials with their American counterparts, they heard the demand to "take responsibility".
The things were said not only inside the room, but also in messages to the media, and this as part of exerting pressure on Israel.
This was done to Defense Minister Gantz, Internal Security Minister Bar-Lev and others who went to Washington.
Senators and members of Congress sent public letters to Biden, and of course to the American media, with the same demand for Israel to "take responsibility".
By the way, the media led a campaign on the administration to relieve the pressure, directed at Israel.
Shirin Abu Aqla's family also did not let go of the blame of the "war criminal, Israel".
The funeral of the Palestinian journalist Shirin Abu Aqla, in Jerusalem, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Israeli officials admitted last night that if Abu Aqla had not been an American citizen and a journalist, there would not have been such a detailed and thorough investigation as conducted by the IDF. The international resonance the case received, and the frequent raising of it by the American officials, led the army to use its entire basket of abilities in ascertaining the truth , which in fact even at this moment remains ambiguous.
Biden.
The American administration demanded that Israel take responsibility, photo: Reuters
What Israel refuses to do is prosecute the soldiers who were involved in the incident, calls heard in the international arena.
If the investigation raised a suspicion of an intentional shooting, legal measures would be taken.
But from the moment it was clarified that the shooting in the direction of the journalist was in any case accidental, there is no justification for a criminal investigation.
In the coming days it will become clear whether this position satisfies the US.
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