Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the family of the late Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh July 26.
That day, department Spokesperson Ned Price said Blinken would use the meeting to convey the administration's deepest condolences for Akleh's passing. Aside from hearing the family's perspective, Price explained the meeting would enable Blinken to update the family on U.S. engagements with Israeli and Palestinian partners investigating the case.
"Today I met with the family of slain Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, whose fearless journalism earned her the respect of audiences around the world. I expressed my deepest condolences and commitment to pursue accountability for her tragic killing," Blinken said in a July 26 post on Twitter.
Shireen Abu Akleh's family requested a meeting with President Joe Biden as it would demonstrate that her case is a priority, according to Al Jazeera. While the president was in Israel and the West Bank earlier this month, they attempted to meet with him, but the meeting was not included in the president's schedule.
In a July 4 statement, the DOS announced they were unable to determine the origin of the bullet responsible for Akleh's death despite an "extremely detailed forensic analysis." Nevertheless, the DOS stated "gunfire from IDF positions likely killed Shireen Abu Akleh," but not intentionally.
The July 4 statement was criticized by Shireen Abu Akleh's family because a conclusion was reportedly drawn without a full investigation. The family has continuously called on the Biden administration to initiate an independent investigation into the incident, according to Al Jazeera. An independent, thorough investigation has also been requested by 24 US senators and 57 House members.
