In a tragic incident on Friday, the Israeli military reportedly shot and killed a U.S. citizen named Aysenur Eygi who was participating in a protest against settlement expansion in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Palestinian and Turkish officials have expressed their outrage over the incident, blaming the Israeli government for Eygi’s death.
The White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett conveyed deep concern over the death of Eygi, an activist, stating that the United States has reached out to the Israeli government for more information and to request an investigation into the incident.
The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, extended his heartfelt condolences to Eygi’s family and assured that they are actively gathering more details about the circumstances surrounding her tragic death, emphasizing the priority of ensuring the safety and protection of American citizens.
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Eygi, a 26-year-old activist with dual American and Turkish citizenship from Seattle, was fatally shot in the head, placing the blame on the Israeli government. The University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce expressed sorrow over Eygi’s passing, highlighting her positive impact on fellow students.
The Israeli military reported that they opened fire on a male “primary instigator” who posed a threat by throwing stones at soldiers. The military has initiated an investigation into the incident to determine the details and the actual circumstances of Eygi being hit.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has not yet issued a comment on the matter. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized the Biden administration for not doing enough to seek justice for the Americans killed in the violence on the West Bank following the recent conflict.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed regret over the tragic loss and offered his deepest condolences to Eygi’s family, stating that the U.S. will seek to understand what occurred before taking any action against Israel. Blinken emphasized that the safety and protection of American citizens, regardless of their location, remains a top priority.
As the world watches closely, the incident raises concerns about the escalating tensions in the region and the need for a thorough investigation to bring clarity and justice for those affected by the violence. The international community awaits further updates on the investigation and hopes for a peaceful resolution to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.