Israel Will Not Cooperate with FBI Inquiry Into Killing of Abu Akleh

Slain Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh - AFP
Slain Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh - AFP
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Israel Will Not Cooperate with FBI Inquiry Into Killing of Abu Akleh

Slain Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh - AFP
Slain Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh - AFP

Israel will not cooperate with the investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed while covering a military raid on the West Bank city of Jenin in May.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said in a statement Monday that Israel has published its own probe and will not cooperate with the proceedings.

He stressed that Israel made it clear to the US representatives that it stands behind Israeli soldiers and we will not cooperate with any external investigation.

Gantz denounced the inquiry as “interference in Israel’s internal affairs.”

"The decision of the US Department of Justice to investigate the unfortunate death of Shireen Abu Akleh is a grave mistake," said Gantz.

The 51-year-old Palestinian-US reporter, was wearing a press vest and helmet and standing when she was shot in the head by a sniper during an Israeli raid in the West Bank.

Palestinian authorities accused Israel of killing Abu Akleh, however Israeli probe into the matter claimed that she was killed by mistake.

The Abu Akleh family recently called the US announcement “an important step toward accountability and gets our family closer to justice for Shireen.”



South Korea Establishes Diplomatic Ties with Syria

 In this photo provided by South Korea Foreign Ministry, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, left, shakes hands with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani after signing a joint statement on the establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (South Korea Foreign Ministry via AP)
In this photo provided by South Korea Foreign Ministry, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, left, shakes hands with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani after signing a joint statement on the establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (South Korea Foreign Ministry via AP)
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South Korea Establishes Diplomatic Ties with Syria

 In this photo provided by South Korea Foreign Ministry, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, left, shakes hands with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani after signing a joint statement on the establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (South Korea Foreign Ministry via AP)
In this photo provided by South Korea Foreign Ministry, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, left, shakes hands with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani after signing a joint statement on the establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (South Korea Foreign Ministry via AP)

South Korea and Syria have signed an agreement in Damascus establishing diplomatic relations, the South Korean foreign ministry said on Friday, opening new ties with a traditional ally of its rival North Korea.

The event marks a milestone for South Korea now having established diplomatic ties with all 191 UN member states and opening "a new chapter for bilateral cooperation with Syria, which had long remained distant due to its close ties with North Korea," the South Korean foreign ministry said.

South Korea established diplomatic relations with Cuba last year, another old ally of the North.

North Korea's state media ceased mentions of Syria since the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in December except leader Kim Jong Un once referring to "the Middle East crisis" in passing.

A joint communique was signed by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Syria's Asaad al-Shaibani on Thursday, and Cho expressed willingness to share South Korea's development experience to support Syria's reconstruction, the ministry said.

Cho later met Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, it said.