Civil rights group reiterates demand after Israeli government admits sniper likely killed Shireen and refuses to prosecute
(WASHINGTON, DC – 9/6/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today responded to the Israeli government’s refusal to hold anyone accountable for the murder of American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by repeating its call for the Biden administration to order an independent U.S. probe into her murder.
The Israeli military announced the results of their investigation into Abu Akleh’s death yesterday, concluding there was a “high probability” that an Israeli soldier killed her during a raid in the West Bank last May. They said no one would be punished for her killing.
SEE: Israeli army: ‘High probability’ soldier killed reporter (AP)
In a statement, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Now that the Israeli apartheid government has predictably refused to hold itself accountable for murdering journalist and American citizen Shireen Abu Akleh, we again demand that the Biden administration order an independent FBI investigation into her murder.
“The truth has been blindingly obvious for months: while there was no fighting in the area, Israeli snipers suddenly and deliberately shot Shireen Abu Akleh in the head, injured her colleague, and then opened fire on bystanders who tried to help them. This was not an accident; it was murder.
“The Biden administration has a moral and legal responsibility to stand up for American citizens murdered abroad, even if our so-called allies are responsible. Continued refusal to investigate the murder of Shireen would stink of politics and anti-Palestinian racism.”
CAIR initially called on the Biden administration to condemn the assassination of Shireen Abu Akleh and direct the FBI to launch an investigation.
SEE: CAIR Calls on Biden Administration to Condemn Israeli Assassination of Palestinian-American Journalist, Direct FBI to Launch Probe
Also in May, CAIR welcomed a congressional letter signed by 57 members of the U.S. House Representatives calling on the State Department and the FBI to investigate her murder.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Congressional Demand for FBI Probe of Israel’s Assassination of Palestinian-American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
In June, CAIR and its Georgia chapter (CAIR-GA) welcomed a letter from Senators Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) calling for a full investigation into Shireen Abu Akleh’s murder.
SEE: CAIR, CAIR-GA Welcome Letter from Sens. Ossoff and Romney Calling for ‘Full and Transparent’ Investigation into Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh
Also in June, CAIR welcomed a call by 24 members of the U.S. Senate for the Biden administration to ensure our nation’s direct involvement in the investigation of Abu Akleh’s death.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Call by 24 Senators for Direct U.S. Involvement in Probe of Israel’s Assassination of Palestinian-American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
In July, CAIR condemned the State Department’s attempt to “whitewash and excuse” the Israeli government’s murder of Shireen Abu Akleh.
SEE: CAIR Condemns State Department’s Attempt to ‘Whitewash and Excuse’ Murder of Shireen Abu Akleh, Repeats Call for FBI Probe
Also in July, CAIR called on President Biden to meet with Abu Akleh’s family and publicly call for justice for her during his trip to Jerusalem. CAIR condemned the president’s failure to do so as “a failure of moral leadership.”
SEE: CAIR Calls on President Biden to Meet with Family of Shireen Abu Akleh During Jerusalem Visit
CAIR Calls President Biden’s Refusal to Meet Shireen Abu Akleh’s Family While Embracing Racist Israeli Leaders a ‘Failure of Moral Leadership’
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com