Jordan denounces ‘assassination’ of veteran Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Wednesday spoke with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al Malki over the phone and expressed condolences over the passing of the Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot dead in the West Bank town of Jenin while covering a raid by Israeli occupation forces. 

The foreign minister also checked on the health condition of Ali Al Samoudi, another journalist who was injured in the shooting, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Both ministers highlighted the necessity of holding perpetrators of this crime accountable.

Safadi called "the assassination a heinous crime, and a flagrant attack on press freedom", calling for launching "a real, transparent and immediate investigation" to hold perpetrators accountable.

In a tweet, Safadi said: "May God bless the soul of the distinguished professional journalist and voice of truth, who reported the suffering of the Palestinians."

He offered his condolences to the victim's family and Al Jazeera channel, and wished Samoudi a speedy recovery.

Also on Wednesday the Foreign Ministry condemned the "assassination" of Abu Akleh as well as the shooting of journalist Ali Al Samoudi.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Haitham Abu Al Foul stressed the Kingdom's denouncement of targeting of journalists, emphasising that this "heinous crime flagrantly violated” international humanitarian law as well as the freedoms of press, media and expression, according to a separate ministry statement. 

Abu Al Foul also expressed the Kingdom's rejection of violent acts against journalists and targeting them in the occupied Palestinian territories, calling for an immediate and transparent investigation to hold perpetrators of this crime accountable.

The statement also expressed condolences to Palestine, Al Jazeera channel and the family of Abu Akleh. The Foreign Ministry also wished Samoudi a speedy recovery.