From: Israel Nitzan - Consulate General of Israel - New York
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2022 6:05 PM
To: Israel Nitzan - Consulate General of Israel - New York
Subject: The death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Aqla - additional information (May 13) - part 2
Additional information from the Israel Police regarding events surrounding Shireen Abu Akleh‘s funeral:
Plans for the funeral procession of Shireen Abu-Akleh were coordinated in advance by the Israel Police together with the Abu-Akleh family.
On Friday, about 300 rioters arrived at Saint Joseph hospital in Jerusalem and prevented the family members from loading the coffin onto the hearse to travel to the cemetery — as had been planned and coordinated with the family in advance. Instead, the mob threatened the driver of the hearse and then proceeded to carry the coffin on an unplanned procession to the cemetery by foot.
This went against the wishes of the Abu-Akleh family and the security coordinations that had been planned to safeguard the large number of mourners. The Israel Police instructed that the coffin be returned to the hearse, as did the EU ambassador and Shireen Abu-Akleh’s own family, but the mob refused.
Israeli Police intervened to disperse the mob and prevent them from taking the coffin, so that the funeral could proceed as planned in accordance with the wishes of the family.
During the riot that was instigated by the mob, glass bottles and other objects were thrown, resulting in the injury of both mourners and Police officers.
https://twitter.com/israelpolice/status/1525226565872893954?s=20&t=LlsbtG_tiZwP71mSS3xrFA
From: Israel Nitzan - Consulate General of Israel - New York
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2022 1:43 PM
To: Israel Nitzan - Consulate General of Israel - New York <Dcm@Newyork.mfa.gov.il>
Subject: The death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Aqla - additional information (May 13)
Dear friends,
As a follow up to my previous update on the death of Al-Jazeerah journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin, I would like to share some additional official information released today.
First, during the military operation in Jenin, Israel National Counter-Terrorism Unit Sergeant Major Noam Raz, a 47-year old father of six, was killed in the line of duty. May his memory be for a blessing.
Second, The Palestinian Authority is still refusing to conduct a joint investigation or allow access to the basic findings, despite calls from the Israeli Government.
IDF findings from the initial investigation into the shooting incident which led to the death of the journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
May 13th, 2022
https://www.idf.il/en/articles/2022/findings-from-the-initial-investigation-into-the-shooting-incident-in-which-the-journalist-shireen-abu-akleh-was-killed/
Yesterday (Thursday), the Commanding Officer of the Central Command, MG Yehuda Fox, and the Head of the Commando Brigade, COL Meni Liberty, presented the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Aviv Kohavi, with the conclusions of the initial investigation into the shooting incident which led to the death of the journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
On the night in question (May 11, 2022), IDF soldiers conducted a counterterrorism operation in the Jenin area, with the goal of apprehending terror suspects. During the activity in the Jenin Camp, Palestinian gunmen fired continuously and indiscriminately. The Palestinian gunmen also fired directly and hurled explosives at the soldiers and IDF military vehicles, which were hit.
As the soldiers left the area toward the end of the operation, in daylight hours, the journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was present at the battle zone during the exchange of fire was hit.
The IDF has been examining the incident since it occurred, in order to clarify the details surrounding Ms. Abu Akleh’s death. At the end of the initial investigation, a number of details requiring further clarification remained. However, the details regarding the incident and the various possibilities which led to Ms. Abu Akleh’s death are becoming clearer.
The initial investigation concluded that it is not possible to unequivocally determine the source of the gunfire which hit and killed Ms. Abu Akleh.
The investigation presented two possibilities for the source of the gunfire:
First, hundreds of bullets were fired by Palestinian gunmen from a number of locations. Dozens of bullets were also fired toward IDF vehicles, which is also the direction where Ms. Abu Akleh was, making this a possible source of the gunfire that hit and killed her.
The second possibility is that during the exchange of fire between the Palestinian gunmen and IDF soldiers, a soldier fired a few bullets from a designated firing hole in an IDF vehicle using a telescopic scope at a Palestinian gunman who was shooting at the aforementioned vehicle. The Palestinian gunman fired multiple barrages of gunfire at the IDF soldier, and there is the possibility that Ms. Abu Akleh, who was near the Palestinian gunman from behind, was hit by the soldier's fire toward the Palestinian gunmen. The distance between the IDF vehicle and Ms. Abu Akleh was approximately 200 meters.
The acquisition of the bullet to conduct a professional ballistics test may be able to determine which of these possibilities occurred. At this moment the Palestinian Authority has not cooperated with the request to conduct a joint investigation. The Palestinian Authority has also not cooperated with the request to pass on the findings of their investigation, or the bullet, to the IDF. Israel has offered for both Palestinian and American representatives to be present and to participate in professional, pathological and ballistic tests, as well as the forensic examination of the bullet. This offer was received with no will for cooperation or response.
The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Aviv Kohavi, instructed the continuation of the investigation with a commitment to transparency and revealing the truth of the incident, using all tools available to the IDF.
The IDF expresses its deep condolences over the death of Shireen Abu Akleh, sees great importance in preserving the freedom of the press and will continue operating to ensure it.
The IDF will continue to thwart terrorism wherever it is required to and uphold its missions, while continuing its efforts to avoid harming non-combatants.
Israel Police statement regarding events surrounding Shireen Abu Akleh‘s funeral
Israel Police Spokesperson (Jerusalem):
Incitement and violent riots began in the hospital plaza both before and at the beginning of the funeral procession.
The rioters hurled stones and other objects toward the police officers who, in response, acted to disperse the riot. The officers arrested a handful of the rioters in order to allow the funeral to continue in a safe and lawful manner.
The stones and objects were hurled at officers from rioters who were near the coffin at the hospital (as can be seen in the attached documentation).
These rioters damaged the funeral procession vehicle, even trying to prevent it from driving once the coffin was inside. The Israel Police operated to prevent the funerals disruption and continuation as planned.
Unfortunately, there are those who choose to cynically use the death of the journalist with ill intent.
The funeral went on as planned without any further issues.
As of now, six suspects have been arrested who violated public order and attacked police officers both before and at the beginning of the funeral procession.
VIDEO: Rioters hiding near and under the coffin after throwing stones and other objects at Israel Police officers in Jerusalem:
https://twitter.com/israelpolice/status/1525141705200132096?s=20&t=h_17pLtkbst3fuodM_c4_w
On Social Media:
Video: Israel PM’s Spokesperson Keren Hajioff: The death of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is a tragedy. The Palestinian Authority is refusing to conduct a joint investigation or allow access to the basic findings. We should all want to get to the truth.
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/IsraelNitzan/status/1524795192255168514?s=20&t=mRV2bG6efAn-5TJjSE3-mw
FACEBOOK: https://fb.watch/c_i_lE0Y1o/
TWITTER: Video: Why was the IDF operating in Jenin this week? Lt. Col. Shefler explains: https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1524996873215479808?s=20&t=BIy1pF9TSy95tEApj6VRvw
TWITTER: Video: Palestinian gunmen near Jenin fire recklessly and indiscriminately as IDF soldiers acted to apprehend terrorist suspects this morning. https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1525033534162870272?s=20&t=BIy1pF9TSy95tEApj6VRvw
Best regards,
Israel Nitzan
From: Israel Nitzan - Consulate General of Israel - New York
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 9:21 AM
To: Israel Nitzan - Consulate General of Israel - New York <Dcm@Newyork.mfa.gov.il>
Subject: The death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Aqla
Dear Friends,
This morning, the IDF, ISA, and Israeli Border Police forces were operating in the Jenin refugee camp and a number of other sites to arrest suspects in terrorist activities. During the operation in Jenin, substantial fire was aimed at the forces, and explosives were also thrown at them. The forces responded with fire. Injuries were sustained among the terrorists. There were no injuries among our forces.
An Al Jazeera journalist, Shireen Abu Aqla, was injured and died of her wounds, but appears to have been hit by Palestinian gunfire, not IDF gunfire.
To clarify, there is a video of the terrorists stating, “We hit a soldier, he is laying on the ground”. Given that no IDF soldier was injured as stated, it is possible that they were responsible for harming the journalist.
This is an environment saturated with terrorists who, unlike IDF soldiers, shoot indiscriminately.
We call on the Palestinians to investigate this issue through a joint pathological investigation. The State of Israel is in favour of the truth. They have refused until this very moment, possibly in order to hide the truth.
We express our sorrow over the death of the journalist, see great importance in the freedom of the press, and work to preserve it. However, caution must be taken when entering and staying in areas in which shootings are carried out by terrorist actors.
VIDEO of Palestinian terrorists saying "They've hit one, they've hit a soldier, he's laying on the ground":
FACEBOOK: https://fb.watch/cXqdNVFQwn/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/israelmfa/status/1524279111547596805?s=21&t=oB-lY1pJkWnW_wWlJauMLg
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CdaLe2it9lZ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Statement from Prime Minister Naftali Bennett:
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Foreign Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, this morning (Wednesday, 11 May 2022):
"According to the information we have gathered, it appears likely that armed Palestinians — who were firing indiscriminately at the time — were responsible for the unfortunate death of the journalist.
Palestinians in Jenin were even filmed boasting "We hit a soldier; he’s lying on the ground”. However, no IDF soldier was injured, which increases the possibility that Palestinian terrorists were the ones who shot the journalist.
Israel has called on the Palestinians to conduct a joint pathological analysis and investigation, which would be based on all of the existing documentation and findings, in order to get to the truth. So far, the Palestinians have refused this offer.
IDF forces will continue their counterterrorism operations, in order to end the deadly wave of terror and restore security to the citizens of Israel."
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM/status/1524294090095005696?s=20&t=PULsyIU8WdVg0iVRknDnYw
Video of PM Bennett on Facebook: https://fb.watch/cXqM7TRs4H/
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid:
We have offered the Palestinians a joint pathological investigation into the sad death of journalist Shireen Abu Aqla. Journalists must be protected in conflict zones and we all have a responsibility to get to the truth. Israel's security forces will continue to operate wherever necessary to prevent terrorism and the murder of Israelis.
https://twitter.com/yairlapid/status/1524268278297903104?s=21&t=aYTVWfYvjqRHttpF3gvKYA
MFA Spokesman Lior Haiat:
We are saddened by the death of senior Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh during a heavy exchange of fire in the midst of a counter-terror operation in Jenin.
A free and fair press is fundamental to Israel and all democracies, and as such, journalists must be protected.
There are indications that Ms. Abu Akleh was killed by Palestinian terrorist fire. Israel will be conducting a thorough investigation.
We call on the Palestinian Authority to cooperate with said investigation to get to the truth.
VIDEO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IsraelMFA/status/1524313883410067456?s=20&t=sxntGqzlk-rEakg_lwf6Hw
VIDEO on Facebook: https://fb.watch/cXqftoDY5o/
Defense Minister Benny Gantz:
Preliminary findings from the investigation conducted by the IDF in the last several hours indicate that no gunfire was directed at the journalist – however the investigation is ongoing.
On the other hand, we have seen footage of indiscriminate shooting by Palestinian terrorists, which is likely to have hit the journalist.
We will communicate our findings in a clear and transparent manner to our American friends, as well as to the Palestinian Authority.
https://www.facebook.com/100064438069268/posts/365795742245025/?d=n
Israel Nitzan
Deputy Consul General
Consulate General of Israel New York
800 Second Avenue
New York City, N.Y. 10017
Office: 212-499-5454
Twitter: @IsraelNitzan