Statement on Israel's Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh
May 20, 2022
Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America strongly condemns the horrific recent killing of legendary Palestinian-American journalist and Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh by an Israeli military sniper. In what can only be described as an execution, the sniper appeared to target Abu Akleh, a highly recognizable TV correspondent, as she stood alongside a group of journalists while covering Israeli raids on Palestine’s occupied West Bank. Abu Akleh was clearly identified as press when the fatal bullet struck. Her cowardly murder should deepen the resolve of people of conscience worldwide to oppose Israel and its brutal occupation of the Palestinian people.
Abu Akleh was a beloved voice of truth whose accurate coverage of crimes against humanity spanned more than 20 years. Her iconic work highlighted the dignity of the Palestinian people and their determination to resist colonialism and oppression. While the targeting of a journalist is both shameful and illegal, Abu Akleh’s killing is merely another example of the systemic violence of the Israeli state. Her murder and the subsequent Israeli assault on mourners at her funeral reflect the routine brutality of an occupation designed to degrade, terrorize and displace Palestinians. Though Western media often portray Israel as a democratic actor, Israel respects none of the principles of decency and justice that are essential to democracy. Indeed, it is the moral shelter and military aid provided by the United States that enable Israel to continue expanding illegal settlements while violating the human rights of Palestinians.
Abu Akleh’s tragic death further exposes the lie that Israel seeks only to defend itself. In fact, the Israeli regime relies on military aggression, collective punishment, and the silencing of peace activists and other principled opponents. Now is the time for people of goodwill to reject the historical and contemporary whitewashing of Israel’s crimes, and to condemn the passive voice (“Journalist is killed during clashes”) and other tactics adopted by the mainstream media to conceal Israeli aggression. Americans have a particular responsibility to condemn Israeli apartheid, given that our taxpayer dollars provide Israel with more than $3 billion in annual aid.
While all people should denounce Abu Akleh’s killing and the systemic violence of Israeli occupation, progressives and leftists have a special duty to speak out. Only by taking an unambiguous stand against apartheid, colonialism and racism at home and abroad can U.S. leftists show that Palestinian dignity lies at the heart of human liberation. There can be no compromise or retreat on the question of Palestine. We call on conscientious people to pressure politicians to condemn and defund Israeli apartheid and to launch a full investigation into Abu Akleh’s death. Even more importantly, civilians must join the global BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement and become lifelong participants in Palestinian solidarity efforts, taking part in rallies, direct action and other forms of agitation until Palestine is free. We also demand:
Disclosure of the identity of AbuAkleh’s killer.
Release of Omar Abu Khdair, one of the beaten pallbearers, who has been jailed without charge or conviction.
Recognition of the BDS movement as protected free speech.
An end to all U.S. participation in Israeli “security” trainings, which expand the militarization of domestic policing and the racist targeting of black people and other people of color.
Ithaca DSA Steering Committee
