Secretary of State Antony Blinken is calling for fundamental changes in how Israeli security forces operate in the occupied West Bank. His comments come after the Israeli military admitted it was “highly likely” that its forces unintentionally shot and killed an American citizen during a protest.
Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was a 26-year-old who held dual citizenship with Turkey, and was attending a demonstration against settlement expansion in the Palestinian area of Beita Junction when she was shot. An initial statement by Israeli Military Police found that the shot wasn’t aimed at her directly, but rather at what the IDF described as the “key instigator of the riot.”
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The shooting happened during what the Israeli military called a “violent riot” involving protesters throwing rocks. However, U.S. officials, including Blinken, are rejecting that justification for her death.
Blinken, in remarks delivered during a press event in London, said the shooting was “not acceptable” and demanded a change. The death of Eygi has prompted outrage not just from family, but from U.S. lawmakers.
Her family has called Israel’s preliminary findings “wholly inadequate” and said they were “deeply offended” by the suggestion that the killing was unintentional.
Despite Blinken’s strong condemnation, there has been no indication that the Biden administration plans to alter U.S. military support for Israel.
The event has amplified calls for greater accountability and reform in the Israeli military. Blinken stated that he wants to see changes to how Israeli forces conduct their operations within the West Bank.
