Awards dinner highlighted by Club call for U.S.-led investigation into killing of Al Jazeera reporter
The National Press Club called for a U.S.-led investigation into the killing of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh and honored her at the Club’s journalism awards dinner on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
The Club recognized Abu Akleh with a President’s Award, which is given for lifetime achievement in journalism. The high-profile journalist, who covered Middle East tension for more than two decades, was gunned down in May while reporting on a raid by Israeli forces in the West Bank town of Jenin.
Over the last three months, the shooter has not been found, and no one has come forward to take responsibility. In order to cut through the fog surrounding the incident, the Club is seeking a probe by the U.S. Department of Justice. Abu Akleh was a U.S. citizen.
Club President Jen Judson said Abu Akleh was wearing a helmet and a bullet-proof vest and standing in area where she should have been safe. The shooter had to place the bullet between her helmet and vest to kill her.
“We at the National Press Club are deeply concerned about what happened to Shireen that day and in the 100-plus days that have followed,” Judson said at the awards dinner. “We think it’s important that there be justice for Shireen and her family. This killing cannot be done with impunity. If so, it could lead to more.”
Judson also urged the Israeli government to identify the shooter or shooters involved and take them out of the field along with the officer who approved the shot pending an investigation.
“That investigation can determine what kind of legal charges might be brought” and against whom, Judson said. “But for now, we’re trying to ensure that another journalist is not killed before we can fully and transparently investigate the circumstances of Shireen’s case.”
Abu Akleh was killed “in cold bold” by an Israeli bullet, Al Jazeera Washington bureau chief Abderrahim Foukara said at the awards dinner.
“Al Jazeera will leave no stone unturned in order to achieve justice for the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh,” Foukara said. “The world is rife with impunity. Journalists are being killed left, right and center in today’s world.”
Judson presented the President’s Award to Lina Abu Akleh, Shireen’s niece, at the dinner. Lina said her aunt was her “best friend, role model and source of inspiration.” She added: “Justice for Shireen is linked to justice for Palestinians.”
On Thursday, Lina Abu Akleh led a press conference at the Club reiterating the call for a Justice Department investigation of her aunt’s killing.
The presentation of the President’s Award highlighted the awards dinner, which recognized some of the best journalism of 2021 in 19 categories. A list of winners and a livestream archive of the event are available online.