On Tuesday, the Israeli military acknowledged that it was “highly likely” its forces were responsible for the death of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American woman, during a protest in the West Bank. This admission follows U.S. accusations that the shooting was “unprovoked and unjustified,” with calls for Israel to make “fundamental changes” in its handling of such incidents, a rare public rebuke of one of America’s closest allies.
In young American activist’s death in the West Bank, associates see pattern of impunity: Friends of American protester Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot to death during a West Bank protest, fear no one will be held accountable for her slaying. https://t.co/LS31Ip5KWH #Israel_Hamas pic.twitter.com/nujQ75kGGU
— Marcus Evans 📚 ⚛️ 🔭 ⚖️ 💙 🎼 🏅 (@MarcuswevansSr) September 9, 2024
Eygi, a recent graduate of the University of Washington, was killed during a demonstration opposing the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Her family and the International Solidarity Movement, an advocacy group, stated that she had been peacefully protesting when she was fatally shot. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) contended that Eygi had been unintentionally hit by gunfire aimed at a “main instigator” of the protest, during what they described as a “violent riot” where Palestinian demonstrators burned tires and threw rocks at Israeli forces.
Following the incident, the U.S. government urged Israel to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, with Eygi’s family calling for an independent U.S.-led inquiry. The family expressed doubt about the adequacy of an Israeli investigation, arguing that video evidence suggested the bullet came from an Israeli soldier.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the IDF’s acknowledgment of fault was a significant step, as such admissions are uncommon. He added that the U.S. would monitor the ongoing investigation closely. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed these sentiments, stating that the killing appeared to be both “unprovoked and unjustified.” Blinken further asserted that the incident highlighted the need for Israel to reassess its military practices in the West Bank, a message Washington plans to deliver to the Israeli government.
Will the U.S. Department of Justice charge Israeli soldiers for deliberating and killing of an American woman in the West Bank?
“Advocates demand justice after US protester killed in Israeli gunfire” https://t.co/xGhqHQDnYj via @AJEnglish
— Mark K. Thomas (@mkthomas777) September 9, 2024
As part of the investigation, Israel has requested permission to perform an autopsy on Eygi. The Military Police Criminal Investigation Division is handling the probe, and the findings will be reviewed by the Military Advocate General’s Corps.
The incident comes amid growing scrutiny of Israel’s actions in the West Bank, including a rise in settler violence. In July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s policies in the Palestinian territories to be in violation of international law, urging the cessation of settlement activities and the withdrawal of settlers.
Eygi’s death also bears similarities to the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, a veteran Palestinian-American journalist, in 2022. While Israel initially blamed Palestinian militants for Abu Akleh’s death, it later admitted that she was most likely shot by an Israeli soldier. The FBI is still investigating that case, although Israel has refused to cooperate, and no military personnel have been prosecuted.
Key Points:
i. The Israeli military admitted it was “highly likely” that its forces unintentionally killed American protester Aysenur Ezgi Eygi during a West Bank demonstration.
ii. Eygi’s family is calling for an independent U.S.-led investigation, citing video evidence they believe shows Israeli forces fired the fatal shot.
iii. U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, condemned the shooting as “unprovoked and unjustified,” urging Israel to reform its military operations in the West Bank.
iv. The Israeli military has launched an internal investigation and requested an autopsy on Eygi.
v. This incident has drawn comparisons to the 2022 killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, for which no Israeli soldier has been prosecuted.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
