White House condemns killing of American journalist during Israeli raid in West Bank

The White House on Wednesday condemned the killing of an American journalist during an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank, and demanded an investigation into the death of Al Jazeera’s Shireen Abu Akleh.

Akleh, 51, was a well-known Palestinian television reporter who also had U.S. citizenship.

Al Jazeera quickly blamed Israeli security forces for her death during a raid on the West Bank town of Jenin.

Qatar, where the TV station is headquartered, claimed Israeli forces ‘shot her in the face.’

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre condemned the killing and said prosecuting anyone responsible for attacks on journalists was of ‘paramount importance.’

‘We strongly condemn the killing of Al Jazeera journalist and American citizen Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin today and we extend our deepest condolences to her family,’ she siad.

‘We call for a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances of her death.

‘Investigating attacks on independent media and prosecuting those responsible are of paramount importance.’

Well-known Palestinian television personality Shireen Abu Akleh, 51, in PRESS jacket

Al Jazeera said Shireen Abu Akleh was shot ‘deliberately’ and ‘in cold blood’ by Israeli troops while wearing a press vest and helmet during a raid in the West Bank

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre condemned the killing as she she spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday.

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre condemned the killing as she she spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday

The State Department also demanded a thorough, immediate investigation and said those responsible for killing the American journalist ‘must be held responsible’

The State Department also demanded a thorough, immediate investigation and said those responsible for killing the American journalist ‘must be held responsible’

Earlier State Department spokesman Ned Price demanded accountability for those responsible.

‘We are heartbroken by and strongly condemn the killing of American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank,’ he said.

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