Washington - (AFP) - More than 50 US lawmakers have called on the FBI to investigate the killing of Al-Jazeera correspondent Sherine Abu Aqleh while she was working in the West Bank, despite Israeli promises to conduct an investigation.

The 57 left-leaning American Representatives from the Democratic Party, led by Representative Andre Carson, stressed that Abu Aqelah holds American citizenship, pointing to differing accounts of her killing on May 11.

In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and FBI Director Christopher Wray, they said, "Given the fragile situation in the region and the conflicting reports surrounding the killing of Ms. Abu Aqelah, we ask the State Department and the FBI to open an investigation into her death."

"As an American, Abu Aqleh was entitled to the full protections afforded to American citizens living abroad," they added.

Al-Jazeera and Palestinians said that the Israeli forces killed the prominent reporter while she was covering an Israeli army operation in Jenin, in the northern occupied West Bank.

As for Israel, it is likely that she was killed by Palestinian fire or by a stray bullet fired from the rifle of an Israeli soldier.

The Israeli ambassador to Washington, Michael Herzog, expressed his "disappointment" with the letter, noting that Israel had sought a joint investigation with the Palestinian Authority, including the presence of an American observer.

He said, "Our appeal was met with a categorical rejection by the Palestinian Authority, which is maliciously using Abu Aqleh's death to stir up an anti-Israel propaganda campaign."
Instead, Herzog called on Congress to pressure the Palestinian side on the investigation, adding that Israeli forces would "never intentionally target journalists."

The State Department said it believed Israel could conduct a credible investigation, but Blinken also criticized the Israeli police for their use of force during Abu Aqelah's funeral.