Laith Al-jnaidi
18 August 2022•Update: 18 August 2022
AMMAN
A number of Jordanian journalists on Thursday held a vigil in commemoration of the 100th day since Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot dead by an Israeli sniper in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The protest took place in front of the office of the Al-Jazeera news network in central Amman.
Participants raised photos of the late journalist, reading: “Justice for Shireen,” and “You will remain present in our hearts ... the martyr of free speech.”
Participants called for accountability for what Abu Akleh was subjected to and the need for justice, describing what had happened as a “crime.”
Basil Al-Akour, the editor-in-chief of “Jo 24 Site” (Independent), said in a speech during the protest: “100 days have passed and we are still hurt, the wound is still tender, we are still sore, since our colleague fell as a martyr on Palestine’s soil, bearing the banner of truth and justice.”
He added: “Journalists carry their lives, their future, and the future of their children on their shoulders as they try to convey the truth to you as it stands. The UN and the International Criminal Court are an illusion, as Israel goes unpunished every time.”
Hassan Shobaki, the director of the Al Jazeera Office in Jordan, confirmed that this crime will not be silenced, pointing out that “the hand of treachery chose Shireen... There is no greater crime in the world than the crime of occupation.”
Al Jazeera's Abu Akleh was killed on May 11, and the Palestinian Health Ministry said she was shot in the head while covering an Israeli army's incursion in the city of Jenin, northern West Bank.
Several leading media agencies, including Al Jazeera, CNN, Associated Press, Washington Post, and the New York Times, conducted their own investigations, which all came to an end that Abu Akleh was killed by an Israeli bullet.
*Sohaila Barghash contributed to this report from Ankara.
