Shereen Abu Akleh Biography – Shereen Abu Akleh Wiki
Shereen Abu Akleh was a Palestinian-American journalist who worked as a reporter for the Arabic-language channel Al Jazeera for 25 years and was a household name across the Middle East for her decades of reporting in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. She was shot and killed on May 11, 2022, while covering an Israel Defense Forces raid on the West Bank city of Jenin.
She was one of the Arab world’s leading journalists, a veteran reporter who was described after her death as having been “among Arab media’s most prominent figures”. Her career included reporting on major Palestinian events including the Second Intifada as well as analyzing Israeli politics; her live reporting on television and distinct signoffs were well-known, and she inspired many other Palestinians and Arabs to pursue careers in journalism.
On May 11, 2022, she was shot and killed while reporting on an Israel Defense Forces raid on the West Bank city of Jenin. Al Jazeera and the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that she was killed by the IDF, with an Agence France-Presse photojournalist also reporting that Israeli forces had shot and killed her; eyewitness reports, as well as statements by other countries and non-governmental organizations additionally, characterized her killing as having been perpetrated by Israeli forces. While Israel initially said she was killed as a result of an exchange of fire with Palestinian militants, an Israeli spokesperson subsequently said that it was not yet known who was responsible; the Israeli assertion that Palestinians fired on the IDF was disputed by eyewitnesses and Palestinian figures. An autopsy was inconclusive as to who shot Abu Akleh.
She worked as a journalist for Radio Monte Carlo and Voice of Palestine. She additionally worked for the UNRWA, Amman Satellite Channel, and MIFTAH. In 1997, she started working as a journalist for Al Jazeera, as one of their first field correspondents, becoming well known as a reporter on their Arabic-language channel. She lived and worked in East Jerusalem, reporting on major events related to Palestine including the Second Intifada, and additionally covering Israeli politics. She often reported on funerals for Palestinians killed by Israeli forces.
Her career inspired many other Palestinians and Arabs to become journalists; her live television reporting and distinct signoffs were particularly well-known. After her death, The New York Times and NPR both described her as “a household name” among Palestinians. The Times of Israel characterized her as “a veteran journalist […] among Arab media’s most prominent figures”. The BBC described her as being widely known and admired by both viewers and colleagues.
She attended secondary school in Beit Hanina, then matriculated at the Jordan University of Science and Technology to study architecture, but decided not to pursue the trade; she instead transferred to Yarmouk University in Jordan from which she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in print journalism. After graduating, she returned to Palestine. At the time of her death, she had been studying Hebrew in order to better understand narratives in the Israeli media and had recently gained a diploma in digital media.
Shereen Abu Aqleh Age
She was born on May 3, 1971, in Jerusalem. She died on May 11, 2022, at the age of 51.
Shereen Abu Aqleh Family
She was born in Jerusalem; her family were Catholic Arab Palestinian Christians from Bethlehem. She spent time in the United States, obtaining U.S. citizenship through members of her mother’s family who lived in New Jersey. Further details about her family is not public knowledge.
Shereen Abu Akleh Death
She was shot and killed on May 11, 2022, while covering an Israel Defense Forces raid on the West Bank city of Jenin. She was 51 years old. On May 11, 2022, the Palestinian Health Ministry announced the death of Abu Akleh. According to Al-Jazeera, she had been shot and killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) while reporting on IDF raids in the Jenin refugee camp. Al Jazeera accused Israel of deliberately targeting the victim. Abu Akleh was present at a raid that the Israeli military stated was targeted at capturing “terror suspects”. Al Jazeera said that Abu Akleh was shot in the head by the IDF, and transported to Ibn Sina Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Another journalist, Ali Samodi of Al-Quds newspaper, was shot in the back but survived; two other Palestinians were transported to a hospital in moderate condition. The Times reported that Abu Akleh was shot by a sniper. Shatha Hanaysha, a Palestinian journalist, said that she and a fourth journalist, along with Abu Akleh and Ali Samodi, had been pinned down by Israeli snipers, who did not cease firing even after Abu Akleh went down, preventing Hanaysha from pulling the victim in.
According to the Israeli military, Palestinian militants had fired on IDF soldiers, after which the soldiers returned fire. The IDF released a video showing Palestinian gunmen firing in the Jenin camp, purportedly in the area where Abu Akleh was killed. Multiple eye-witnesses, including two journalists standing next to Abu Akleh, reported that the area had been relatively quiet immediately prior to her death, disputing Israeli statements of her having died in a crossfire. Al Jazeera reported that according to their Ramallah bureau chief, Walid Al-Omari, there was no shooting by Palestinian gunmen; Mustafa Barghouti of the Palestinian National Initiative also stated that there was “no exchange of fire” at the scene. Al-Omari also stated that Abu Akleh had been wearing a helmet and was shot in an unprotected area under her ear, suggesting that this demonstrated she was “deliberately targeted”. Video of the shooting showed Abu Akleh wearing a blue flak jacket that was clearly marked “PRESS”. An Agence France-Presse photojournalist reported that Israeli forces had shot and killed Abu Akleh.
An autopsy at An-Najah National University was unable to determine who shot Abu Akleh; the pathologist found no evidence that she had been shot at close range. The autopsy confirmed that Abu Akleh was killed by a bullet that struck her in the head, causing skull fractures and damage to the brain. The bullet was recovered and sent for further examination. Minister of Defence Benny Gantz said the IDF had requested the Palestinians to let the Israelis examine the bullet.
Shereen Abu Akleh Cause of Death
She was shot and killed on May 11, 2022, while covering an Israel Defense Forces raid on the West Bank city of Jenin.
Shereen Abu Akleh Religion
She belonged and identified herself with the Christian religion.
Shereen Abu Akleh Nationality
She was of American nationality.
Shereen Abu Akleh Instagram
Her Instagram handle was @shireenabuakleh.
