U.S. Officials Divided Over Assessment of Israeli Shooting of Journalist

A recent development has sparked intense debate within the United States government over the killing of a Palestinian American journalist in 2022. A U.S. colonel has publicly expressed concerns that the official findings regarding the incident may have been downplayed to avoid straining relations with Israel.The journalist in question was Shireen Abu Akleh, a well-known Palestinian American reporter who was fatally shot in the West Bank while covering a raid by Israeli forces. The incident drew widespread international attention and condemnation.According to sources, the U.S. colonel's comments suggest that there may have been a deliberate attempt to soften the language used in official assessments of the incident to avoid antagonizing Israel. This has raised questions about the U.S. government's willingness to hold its ally accountable for its actions.The Israeli military had initially stated that Abu Akleh was likely killed by Palestinian gunfire, but later conceded that Israeli forces may have been responsible. The U.S. government subsequently concluded that the Israeli military was likely responsible for the killing, but stopped short of making a definitive determination.The colonel's public remarks have highlighted the divisions within the U.S. government over how to address the incident. Some officials have reportedly expressed frustration that the U.S. government has not been more forceful in its criticism of Israel's actions.The incident has also raised concerns about the Biden administration's approach to Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The administration has sought to maintain a close relationship with Israel while also promoting a two-state solution to the conflict.However, some critics argue that the U.S. government's response to the killing of Abu Akleh has been inadequate, and that a more robust approach is needed to hold Israel accountable for its actions. The debate over the incident is likely to continue, with implications for U.S.-Israel relations and the broader Middle East peace process.