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The U.S. is investigating the death of Palestinian American journalist Shirin Abu Akleh. Israel’s defense minister said Israel would not cooperate.
The investigation was rebuffed Tuesday by Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who said during a speech to Israel’s parliament that, “Our strong protest has been conveyed to the Americans at the appropriate levels. IDF soldiers will not be investigated by the FBI or by any foreign country or body, however friendly.”
He added, “The IDF is a moral and ethical army. IDF soldiers and their commanders defend the State of Israel. They thoroughly investigate any irregular event and are committed to the values and laws of democracy.”
On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz first said that the U.S. Department of Justice had launched an independent investigation into the shooting and killing of Abu Akleh. The investigation is reportedly to be conducted by the FBI.
A Justice Department spokesman had no comment when asked by the Associated Press on the matter, and there were no details about when an investigation might begin and what it would entail. However, such a probe into Israeli actions would be a rare, if not unprecedented, step.
An FBI spokesman told Fox News Digital that, “the FBI does not confirm or deny conducting specific investigations.” Fox News Digital questions sent to the Department of Justice remain unanswered.
ISRAEL ADMITS IDF LIKELY KILLED AL JAZEERA JOURNALIST ‘ACCIDENTALLY’
Israel’s defense minister said the Department of Justice had launched an investigation into Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh’s death. Its defense minister said Israel would not cooperate in an external investigation.
(Guy Smallman/Getty Images)
Abu Akleh, an Al Jazeera journalist, was fatally shot while on assignment in the West Bank Palestinian town of Jenin, covering an IDF raid on terrorists in May 2022.
Gantz wrote on Twitter that the U.S. decision is a “grave mistake.” He said Israel would stand by its…
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