Bipartisan senate letter calls for Abu Akleh investigation

This week, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff and Republican Senator Mitt Romney issued a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for an investigation into last month's killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

With this letter, they are joining a bipartisan group of House lawmakers in pushing for a transparent investigation into the killing of Abu Akleh, who was on assignment in the West Bank town of Jenin when she was fatally shot in the neck.

The evidence, including eyewitness accounts and a recent Palestinian probe, points to the Israeli military as the perpetrator. A report by CNN two weeks ago, using a collection of different video footage, points to the strong possibility of a targeted killing by the Israeli military.

So far, there has been little movement from the Israeli government on getting to the bottom of the cause of the killing.

The senators' letter, dated 6 June, is short and to the point. It begins with five lines calling on a transparent investigation and concludes by saying they expect a response within a month.

"We insist that the Administration ensure a full and transparent investigation is completed and that justice is served for Ms. Akleh's death," reads the letter, issued from Ossoff's office. "Please provide a detailed update on the progress of this effort within 30 days."

Ossoff, a first-term senator from Georgia, who won a close race against businessman and incumbent David Purdue, has a record of being outspoken on human rights. Prior to taking office, as a filmmaker, he made documentaries on ISIS, healthcare and corruption in Africa and the Middle East. Since becoming senator, he has shown support for the LGBTQ+ community, migrant farm workers and for prison reform.

"Before he was a senator, he was a filmmaker focused on investigations into human rights abuses. I'm happy to see he's carried that mission on in the Senate," Edward Mitchell, deputy director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told The New Arab.

"Back when Israel was bombing Gaza, he led a letter calling for a ceasefire. He stuck his neck out. He's stood up for human rights in a measured way. He's the future of the Democratic Party," said Mitchell.

Veteran politician Romney, for his part, is considered one of the very few "moderate" Republican senators, known to at times reach across the aisle on issues championed almost exclusively by Democrats. Two years ago, he tweeted photos and footage of himself marching in a Black Lives Matter demonstration. More recently, he was one of only two Republicans, including Susan Collins, to vote for the confirmation of Supreme Court justice nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first African American woman to reach that position.

"Romney is interesting," said Mitchell. "He's not known for taking unorthodox stances on Israel and Palestine. This is a testament to how horrific the killing was."

There is reportedly another letter with more signatures circulating in the Senate, but it is unclear when or if it will be released.