Israel blamed for killing of ‘brave, professional’ Al Jjazeera journalist
AL JAZEERA journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed while covering clashes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, was among Arab media’s most prominent figures and widely hailed for her bravery and professionalism.
In the hours after her death, young Palestinians described Abu Akleh, 51, as an inspiration, especially to women, many of whom were motivated to pursue journalism because of her.
"She never tired," Al Jazeera senior international correspondent Hoda Abdel-Hamid told AFP by phone from Ukraine.
"She was always there whenever anything happened... She wanted to be there, to tell the story, constantly," she added.
Her prominence grew through her coverage of the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, from 2000 to 2005.
Senior Al Jazeera journalist Dima Khatib tweeted that Abu Akleh was "one of the first Arab women war correspondents in the late 1990s when the traditional role of women was to present from the television studio".
"Shireen was a pioneer in a generation that broke stereotypical gender roles in TV journalism."
Al Jazeera has accused Israeli forces of killing her.
The Palestinian-American, was wearing a press vest that clearly marked her as a journalist while reporting in the city of Jenin, the Qatar-based outlet said.In an interview shortly before her death, Abu Akleh, described herself as a "product of Jerusalem," with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict shaping much of her life.
Abu Akleh said she was often afraid while reporting but made sure to avoid unnecessary risk.