Israel’s killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh protested in İstanbul

Photo: Arif Hüdaverdi Yaman / AA

Click to read the article in Turkish

Journalists in Turkey protested the killing of the Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh, yesterday (May 12), in front of the Consulate General of Israel in İstanbul.

Members of the Palestinian Press Association in Turkey and journalists including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Turkey Representative and bianet rapporteur Erol Önderoğlu gathered in front of the Consulate General of Israel building in Levent district.

Journalists carried photos of Akleh and the placards in Turkish and Arabic languages, condemning the killing of the Al Jazeera reporter.

'We have learned a lot from Shireen'

Al-Jazeera Turkey representative Abdulaziz Muhammed spoke during the protest in front of the Consulate.

"Shireen's murder was not only a murderer targeting her, but it also targeted all freedoms and journalists," he said.

"It could be any one of us in Shireen's place, we call out to the Turkish and international media to demand justice for our friend Shireen" he added.

51 years old journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, who had an experience of over two decades, was killed on Wednesday in the city of Jenin, in the northern part of the West Bank.
She was wearing a protective vest with "PRESS" written on it when she was shot dead.

Muhammed noted the importance of Akleh to the Arab world.

"Shireen was like a school. She was like a school in the field of journalism. There is no journalist who did not learn from Shireen in the Arab world."

He continued:

" We all heard the voice of Palestinian people thanks to Shireen. Like how we know Shireen well, the occupying forces also know her well. When she was targeted she was wearing a press vest. The occupier Israel deliberately shot Shireen, they planned to kill her"

'A fair investigation has to be conducted immediately'

Palestinian Press Association in Turkey chair Taha Ouda also spoke during the protest.

Demanding a fair investigation for the killing of Shireen, Ouda stated the following:

"While the world is working for the freedom of journalists these days, it is not acceptable what Israel did."

"We as the Palestinian Press Association in Turkey urge the international institutions and legal offices. We call them to protect the Palestinian journalists. We demand an urgent and fair investigation"

The killing of Shireen Abu Akleh

Experienced reporter of the news channel Al- Jazeera, endowed by the Government of Qatar, Shireen Abu Akleh died as a result of a bullet fired at her by the Israeli soldiers while following the soldier's raid in Jenin Refugee Camp at West Bank.

It has been reported that the journalist was wearing a Press vest when she was shot dead by the Israeli forces.

Another journalist Ali es-Sumudi was also wounded by the soldiers at the same place where Akleh lost her life. (HA/TB)