The Israeli government has harshly criticised a US decision to investigate the death of an Al Jazeera journalist in the West Bank, calling it 'a grave mistake'.
Defence minister Benny Gantz, a member of the outgoing Lapid administration, said that the IDF would not be co-operating with the FBI investigation into Ms Abu Akleh's death in the West Bank earlier this year.
In a statement, Gantz said: “I have delivered a message to US representatives that we stand by the IDF’s soldiers, we will not cooperate with an external investigation, and we won’t allow [foreign] involvement in Israel’s internal affairs.
“The IDF has conducted a professional, independent investigation, which was presented to American officials with whom the case details were shared.”
The FBI's decision to open a criminal investigation may potentially lead to US authorities investigating and seeking charges against the soldiers involved in the mission where Abu Akleh was killed in Jenin in May.
In September, the IDF released the results of its own internal probe into the killing, which concluded there was a ‘high possibility’ that an Israeli bullet killed the veteran Palestinian-American journalist.
At the time, The IDF said that its soldiers were under “360 degree” fire from Palestinian militants during the operation with a senior official adding: “The IDF is very, very sorry for this tragic loss of life.”
“We can say for 100% sure that no IDF soldier intentionally directed fire on a reporter or non-involved personnel on the ground.” The IDF says that its findings were referred to the independent Military Advocate General, who asked questions of the investigators: “After looking at and analysing all the findings, she made the decision not to open a criminal investigation into this event.”
The senior IDF official added: “The soldiers weren’t aware of a journalist being there.” “It’s very important in the IDF values not to harm uninvolved personnel, and also we cherish the freedom of press as a democracy.”
“We’re very proud of how our soldiers operate night after night with our defence, saving lives and doing as much as they can to complete their missions.”
Ms Abu Akleh’s death triggered outrage around the world, and multiple news organisations, including CNN and the New York Times conducted analysis of the events that led to her death.
