The Honorable Antony Blinken
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520 Dear Secretary Blinken, As faith leaders with a deep concern for the Holy Land, we call on our government to lead a thorough and transparent investigation into the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Our letter comes on the heels of sustained bipartisan Congressional attention to Shireen’s killing. She was shot to death on May 11 during an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operation in the West Bank town of Jenin, despite the fact that she was wearing protective gear prominently marked with the English word “PRESS.” Though an Israeli investigation concluded in a September 4 announcement that she was likely killed by Israeli forces, there appears to be no effort undertaken or planned to identify or hold accountable those responsible. The Israeli investigation also repeated the unsubstantiated claim that Israelis were exchanging fire with Palestinian militants in the area, an assertion for which neither detailed media investigations and for which Israel has provided no evidence. This has only added to the confusion. A U.S.-led investigation is therefore necessary to provide clarity about what happened, accountability for those responsible, and determine whether U.S. defense materials or services were used in her killing. A U.S.-led investigation is also imperative because Shireen Abu Akleh was a U.S. citizen. Her killing and the subsequent assault by Israeli soldiers on her funeral as mourners attempted to carry her casket to the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem outraged Palestinians, including Palestinian Christians. The lack of progress toward identifying who killed her has made matters worse. We share the U.S. goal of a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, and the chances for peace diminish if such transgressions can be carried out with impunity. Shireen Abu Akleh is by no means the first journalist to be killed under these circumstances. According to the international press freedom group Reporters Without Borders, over 30 journalists have been killed by Israeli soldiers since the year 2000. Also, over 140 journalists have been subjected to violent abuses by the IDF and Israeli police just since 2018. The oft-stated U.S. commitment to press freedom requires a full and transparent accounting of the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh. The September 4 announcement of the Israeli investigation is just the latest in a series of conflicting Israeli accounts of the incident, a fact that has aroused deep suspicion and mistrust. Meanwhile, major news outlets, including CNN, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, have conducted their own investigations. These well-resourced news organizations interviewed witnesses, consulted outside experts, and examined videos, photos, and geospatial images. They all concluded that there was no gunfire from Palestinian militants in the area and that Shireen Abu Akleh was most likely killed by an Israeli soldier. Most recently, an exhaustive audio, image, and 3D modeling analysis by Forensic Architecture reached the same conclusion, while also revealing another outrageous fact. Gunfire from the same Israeli position repeatedly prevented a civilian from coming to her aid after she was shot. These media investigations, however, cannot provide justice or accountability. What is needed is a transparent U.S. investigation, with an outcome that will be seen as trustworthy by both Palestinians and Israelis. This investigation must result in real consequences for the perpetrators of this killing, as well as a clear assessment of whether U.S. defense materials or services were used. Such accountability is possible. We note reports that in the aftermath of the death of another Palestinian American, Omar As’ad, the United States indeed began an investigation into the Israeli unit in whose custody he died. Omar As’ad, at 78 years old, was left gagged and with his hands zip-tied in the courtyard of an abandoned building on a January night when the temperature was near freezing. He suffered a heart attack and died unaided. The IDF subsequently removed two soldiers from their positions for what they called an “ethical failure.” The U.S. government has reportedly been investigating the unit responsible, not just for As’ad’s death but for a wider pattern of abusive behavior. The killing of Shireen Abu Akleh deserves at least this level of scrutiny. The government of Israel has abdicated its responsibilities in this case, so the U.S. government must act to ensure accountability for her death. In the immediate aftermath of Shireen Abu Akleh’s killing, you spoke of the importance of a free and independent press and the need for an “immediate and credible investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.” After more than four months, no adequate investigation has been conducted. Particularly because Ms. Abu Akleh was a U.S. citizen deserving of the full protection of her rights by her government, the U.S. government must ensure that those responsible for her death are held fully accountable and that any role U.S. defense materials or services might have had in her killing is thoroughly documented. We thank you for your service and commitment as we work together for justice and peace. Please know we are lifting you in our prayers. Rev. Eddy Alemán
General Secretary
Reformed Church in America Joyce Aljouny
General Secretary
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Archbishop Vicken Aykazian
Ecumenical Director and Diocesan Legate
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) Rev. Marco Cable
President, Division of Overseas Ministries
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Co-Executive
Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon
Executive Director
Churches for Middle East Peace The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer
General Minister and President
United Church of Christ Rev. Emmett L. Dunn
Executive Secretary-Treasurer/CEO
Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Very Rev. James Gannon, ofm
Franciscan Friars, English Speaking Conference Susan Gunn
Director
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe
General Secretary
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church & Society Rev. Dr. Nathan Hosler
Director, Office of Peacebuilding and Policy
Church of the Brethren Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos
Associate General Secretary
National Council of Churches Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller
President, Provincial Elders’ Conference
Moravian Church Northern Province Bridget Moix
General Secretary
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (USA) Rev. Teresa Hord Owens
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Richard Santos
President & CEO
Church World Service Dr. Andrea Smith
Founder and Board Member
Evangelicals 4 Justice Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson
Associate General Minister
United Church of Christ
Co-Executive
Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ Nikki Toyama-Szeto
Executive Director
Christians for Social Action (CSA) Stephen M. Veazey
President
Community of Christ Dr. C. Jeff Woods
General Secretary
American Baptist Churches USA Archpriest Father Thomas Zain
Vicar General
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Reverend Elijah R. Zehyoue
Co-Director
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