Blinken criticizes Israel for likely shooting American activist

US Secretary of State Calls for Changes in Israeli Operations in West Bank

Following the tragic killing of American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in the West Bank, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has demanded “fundamental changes” to Israeli forces’ operations in the region. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Eygi was unintentionally hit by their fire during a protest, which Blinken strongly condemned.

Eygi, who was volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), was shot while participating in a peaceful protest against an Israeli settlement. Blinken emphasized the need for revised rules of engagement to prevent similar incidents in the future, pointing out the unjustified nature of Eygi’s killing.

Recent violence in the West Bank, fueled by military activities and settler violence, has raised international concerns. The US has imposed sanctions on Israeli groups involved in such violence. The Eygi family continues to push for an independent investigation, rejecting the IDF’s findings as inadequate.

The ISM dismissed Israel’s claim of an unintentional shooting, labeling Eygi as a victim of Israel’s actions in the region over decades. The group highlighted discrepancies in the military’s account and eyewitness testimonies, questioning the justification for the lethal force used.