The family of slain Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is calling on the United States to launch an independent investigation into her killing. 

Washington, July 28 (RHC)-- The family of slain Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is calling on the United States to launch an independent investigation into her killing. 

On Tuesday, three members of her family met with Secretary of State Tony Blinken at the State Department.  The Al Jazeera correspondent was shot dead in the occupied West Bank while covering an Israeli military raid. 

The United Nations as well as numerous news organizations have concluded she was shot by an Israeli soldier.  Earlier this month, the U.S. said the bullet that killed her likely came from Israeli military gunfire, but stopped short of saying investigators had reached a “definitive conclusion” in her killing.  The U.S. said her death was “the result of tragic circumstances.” 

Abu Akleh’s family criticized the Biden administration’s statements, saying: “For far too long, the United States has enabled Israel to kill with impunity by providing weapons, immunity, and diplomatic cover.  Impunity leads to repetition.  We are here to do our part to ensure that this cycle ends.”