By: Zahid Jadwat

A Palestinian activist has denounced Israel’s attempts to twist the narrative on the killing of veteran journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on Wednesday.

The veteran journalist was covering a raid on Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank when she was shot and killed by the Israel Defense Forces. She worked for the Arabic channel of Al-Jazeera for 25 years.

In response, Israel has claimed that she was killed in an exchange of fire with Palestinian militants.

“They intentionally attacked her, although she wanted to show that they are journalists. They knew that she was a journalist and they attacked her intentionally to mute her voice,” said Jerusalem-based activist Ehab Jallad. 

In an interview on Radio Islam, Jallad dismissed suggestions that Palestinian militants were involved, saying Israeli authorities were avoiding responsibility.

“No Palestinian will be involved in the situation but, of course, this is what they say at the first minute, trying to escape from responsibility.”

Meanwhile, Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI), said there was “no exchange of fire” at the scene of Abu Akleh’s shooting.

He said there is “no possibility whatsoever that Palestinians have shot Shireen Abu Akleh,” adding that “the Israeli army always uses these excuses to cover up the crimes they are committing against Palestinians including Palestinian journalists.”

Another journalist, Ali Samodi, who works for Al-Quds newspaper, survived a gunshot wound to his back. Two other Palestinians were transported to a nearby hospital in a stable condition.

Listen to the full interview here: