Palestinians mourn slain Al Jazeera journalist, blame Israel

By MAJDI MOHAMMED and JOSEPH KRAUSS
Associated Press

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Thousands have gathered to mourn a slain Al Jazeera journalist in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah. The head of the Palestinian Authority is blaming Israel for her death and on Thursday rejected Israeli calls for a joint investigation. Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American reporter who covered the Mideast conflict for more than 25 years, was shot dead Wednesday during an Israeli military raid in the West Bank town of Jenin. Journalists who were with her say Israeli forces fired upon them even though they were clearly identifiable as reporters. Israel says it is investigating the incident and wants to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the West Bank.