Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid has responded to the news that the Al Jazeera media channel plans to submit a petition against Israel to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, with regard to the death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh.
"No one will investigate IDF soldiers and no one will preach to us about morals in warfare, certainly not Al-Jazeera," Lapid said Tuesday.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz offered his condolences to Abu Aqleh's family, while slamming Al Jazeera over its petition to the ICC.
“I expressed my condolences following the passing of Shireen Abu Aqleh. At the same time, we must remember that this was a combat scenario, which was investigated thoroughly."
"I suggest that [international] officials and Al Jazeera representatives go investigate what is happening to reporters in Iran and nearby regions where Al Jazeera operates. There is no other military that operates under the moral standards of the IDF, and I would like to emphasize my full support and that of the entire defense establishment, to the commanders and soldiers who are defending the citizens of Israel.”
The Qatar media outlet announced Tuesday morning that it will file a complaint with the ICC later on Tuesday, accusing Israeli forces of deliberately shooting Abu Aqleh, an Arab-American journalist who worked for Al Jazeera as a correspondent.
"The claim by the Israeli authorities that Shireen was killed by mistake in an exchange of fire is completely unfounded," the outlet claimed.
After Al Jazeera formally files its petition with the ICC, Abu Aqleh’s family is expected to hold a joint press conference with Al Jazeera’s legal team at The Hague.