May 14, 2022 We, the undersigned journalist organizations, express strongest condemnation at the wanton killing of Al-Jazeera woman reporter Shireen Abu Akleh in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank while she was on duty covering a raid by Israeli forces. According to reports, the 51 year old veteran journalist was wearing a press vest as is required along with other reporters. Another journalist of Al-Jazeera was also injured in the shooting. We join the international community of journalists and others in demanding an independent and impartial investigation into the incident. This must not happen again. Shireen Abu Akleh was a Palestinian American national having joined Al Jazeera in 1997. An year ago the offices of Al Jazeera and Associated Press were bombed in the Gaza strip, allegedly by similar elements. We had expressed similar concern then as well. We firmly believe that journalists have a social responsibility to report, including from conflict zones and when they do so, they cannot be targeted in the manner Shireen Abu Akelh was. The incident is a setback to the wider community of journalists including several women who work as field reporters. They have a right to their individual safety while on the job. We are hopeful that the international community that has taken serious note of the horrific incident will ensure that culprits are brought to book. Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Club of India, Press Association