The Take Justice for Shireen: the American investigation
May 8, 2026
Said Arikat, Palestinian journalist in Washington covering the State Department. Katherine Gallagher, human rights attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights. Lina Abu Akleh, niece and advocate for an independent U.S. investigation into Shireen’s killing. They discuss calls for a U.S.-led probe, legal avenues and sanctions, meetings with officials and Congress, and long-standing patterns in accountability for Palestinian journalists.
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Family Woke To The News Of Shireen's Death
- Lina Abu Akleh discovered Shireen had been shot after a 6:45 a.m. call and social media alerts even though she was asleep.
- She and her family screamed in disbelief when colleagues confirmed Shireen was killed, marking the first time Shireen was breaking news rather than reporting it.
US Citizenship Makes A U.S. Investigation Logical
- The Abu Akleh family's key leverage is Shireen's U.S. citizenship, which creates a strong case for a U.S.-led investigation into her killing by a foreign military.
- The State Department's July summary blamed likely Israeli gunfire but ruled out intent, a conclusion the family found unacceptable.
Family Traveled To D.C. To Press Their Case
- Lina and her family flew to Washington, D.C. after feeling neglected when President Biden didn't meet them during his nearby visit.
- They met Secretary of State Antony Blinken to press for a U.S.-led investigation and express outrage at the State Department statement.