WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this week led eight Senate colleagues in sending the U.S. Department of State a fourth request for more information and answers on the death of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. She was killed by an Israeli soldier in the West Bank.
“The State Department routinely says its highest priority is the safety of American citizens overseas. We are asking questions about the wrongful, violent death of an American citizen. We want to know why she was shot, and whether anyone has or will be held accountable. Her family and we deserve answers,” said Senator Welch.
Shireen Abu Akleh, a highly respected Palestinian American journalist, was inexplicably shot and killed in May 2022 by an Israeli soldier from a distance of approximately 200 meters. At the time, Ms. Abu Akleh was wearing a helmet and flak jacket with the word ‘PRESS’ in bold letters. She was not in the vicinity of any protesters.
A month after Ms. Abu Akleh’s murder, 24 Senators led by Senator Welch’s predecessor, Senator Patrick Leahy, called on then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken to provide answers about her killing and launch an investigation. Four U.S. Senators, led by Senator Welch, wrote to Secretary Blinken in September 2024, again asking questions about the case and echoing the Secretary’s call for an independent, credible investigation. Eight U.S. Senators wrote to Secretary Marco Rubio in May 2025, asking about the case. The lawmakers’ questions have not been answered.
This week, nine U.S. Senators, again led by Senator Welch, sent another letter to the State Department, asking for the answers to their questions, writing:
“We understand that the Office of the U.S. Security Coordinator (USSC) is not an investigative body. However, not long after Ms. Abu Akleh was killed the USSC publicly endorsed the Israel Defense Forces’ assertion, without citing any evidence, that the shooting was ‘unintentional.’
“As our May 21st letter made clear, we have repeatedly sought answers from the State Department which do not require an investigation. The answers are either currently known to State or readily obtainable from the Israeli Government. Copies of our May 21 letter, as well as our June 23, 2022, and September 25, 2024, letters about this matter, are attached.
“We continue to believe that a U.S.-led investigation is necessary to secure transparency and accountability in this case. In the meantime, we are requesting answers to our questions about the violent, unexplained death of an American citizen more than three years ago and would appreciate receiving them within 20 business days of the date of this letter.”
The letter was led by Senator Welch and signed by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).
Read and download the full letter.
###