On the recordSeptember 15, 2022
on May 19, I echoed Secretary of State Blinken's call for an ``independent, credible investigation'' of the violent death of widely respected Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. At that time, several Members of Congress called for the FBI to be involved, as did I. That would be customary and appropriate after a tragedy like this involving a prominent American killed overseas under questionable circumstances. Secretary Blinken later said, and I agree, that ``[w]hen that investigation happens, we will follow the facts, wherever they lead. It's as straightforward as that.'' Unfortunately, there has been no independent, credible investigation. Two weeks ago, without providing any details, the Israeli Government, after first blaming the Palestinians for Ms. Abu Akleh's death, stated that she was likely shot, by mistake, by an unnamed Israeli soldier. The State Department has concluded that gunfire from Israeli Defense Force--IDF--positions was likely responsible, but that there was ``no evidence to indicate her killing was intentional.'' The Department acknowledges that conclusion was not the result of an investigation, but rather a review of information provided by the IDF and the Palestinian Authority--PA. We are told that ``the Administration continues to believe that cooperation among Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and the U.S.…
