Israeli Military Investigates Death of American-Turkish Activist Aysenur Eygi During Protest

Israeli Military Comments on Killing of American-Turkish Activist

On Tuesday, the Israeli military stated that it is highly probable that the American-Turkish activist, Aysenur Eygi, who was killed last week during a protest in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, was “unintentionally” struck by Israeli gunfire. The military expressed its regret regarding her tragic death.

In a statement detailing the preliminary findings of its investigation, the military indicated that it intended to target an individual deemed a “key instigator” of the protest, which they characterized as “a violent riot.” This incident has intensified scrutiny over Israel’s use of force against Palestinians during clashes and protests in the West Bank.

The criminal investigation division of the military police is currently examining the circumstances surrounding Ms. Eygi’s death and will present its conclusions to military prosecutors in due course. Eygi’s family has called on President Biden and other high-ranking U.S. officials to mandate an independent investigation to “ensure full accountability for those responsible,” asserting that an Israeli-led inquiry would not suffice.

In a significant response to this incident, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken remarked on Tuesday that “no one should be shot and killed for attending a protest.” He emphasized the need for Israeli security forces to implement fundamental changes in their operational procedures in the West Bank, particularly concerning their rules of engagement.

Aysenur Eygi, who emigrated to the United States from Turkey as an infant and settled in Seattle, had recently traveled to the West Bank to join activists associated with the International Solidarity Movement, an organization that stands in solidarity with Palestinians during demonstrations. On the day of her death, she participated in a protest in the northern West Bank village of Beita, where local residents have engaged in years of demonstrations—sometimes escalating to violence—against a settler outpost on land claimed by the village. The Israeli government had recently announced plans to legalize this outpost.

The Israeli military reported on Friday that their troops had “responded with fire toward a main instigator of violent activity” who was allegedly throwing stones at the soldiers and posed a threat. While witnesses at the protest acknowledged that some demonstrators had indeed thrown rocks at Israeli forces, they contended that the clashes had subsided by the time Ms. Eygi was shot, with the earlier confrontations taking place approximately 200 yards away.

Edward Wong contributed reporting from London.