Patrick Leahy: “the 11th of December marked the 6-month anniversary of the violent death of widely respected Palestinian- American…”

“the 11th of December marked the 6-month anniversary of the violent death of widely respected Palestinian- American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. On May 19, I echoed Secretary of State Blinken's call for an ``independent, credible investigation'' of her killing. At that time, several Members of Congress called for the FBI to be involved, as did I. That would be appropriate after a tragedy like this involving an American citizen 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, at least not yet. Three months ago, 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 U.S. Security Coordinator--USSC--also stated, at the time, that gunfire from Israeli Defense Force--IDF--positions was likely responsible, but that there was ``no evidence to indicate her killing was intentional.'' The State Department acknowledges that conclusion was not the result of an investigation, but rather a review of information they were provided by the IDF and the Palestinian Authority.…”