Egypt Daily News – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Tuesday for a comprehensive review of the Israeli military’s conduct in the occupied West Bank, expressing his regret over the shooting that resulted in the death of a Turkish-American activist during a protest against settlement expansion, which Israel described as an unintentional incident.
Aisha Nour Izgi Eji, 26 years old, was shot dead on Friday during a protest march in the village of Beita near the city of Nablus in the West Bank, where Israeli settlers from the far-right are launching repeated attacks on Palestinians.
The Israeli army said on Tuesday that it is highly likely that the soldiers fired the bullet that killed her, but stated that her death was not intentional and expressed deep regret.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, in his strongest remarks criticizing Israeli forces to date, that the killings were “unjustified and unprovoked,” noting that Washington will insist that the Israeli government make adjustments to the way it directs its forces in operations in the West Bank.
He added to reporters in London, “No one should be shot and killed for participating in a protest.” “And no one’s life should be in danger simply for expressing their opinions freely.”
He continued, “According to our assessment, the Israeli forces need to make significant adjustments in the way they conduct operations in the West Bank, as well as modify the rules of engagement.”
He added, “There are two American citizens who were killed by Israeli forces.” “This is unacceptable.” A spokesperson for the Israeli government refrained from commenting on Blinken’s statements.
The Israeli army stated that the military police’s investigative unit is conducting an investigation, and its results will be submitted for higher-level review as soon as it is completed.
John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, told reporters, “We will monitor this closely,” noting that a criminal investigation is an unusual step for the Israeli military.
He added, “We want to follow the developments of this investigation and what the results may yield, in addition to who will be held accountable and how.”
The Eji family described the preliminary investigation as “completely insufficient” and urged U.S. President Joe Biden to call for an independent investigation.
- The preliminary investigation
The Israeli army stated in a statement that military leaders conducted an investigation into the incident and concluded that the gunfire was not directed at her but rather at another individual described as the “main instigator of the riots.”
He added, “The incident occurred during violent riots in which dozens of individuals suspected of being Palestinians burned tires and threw stones at security forces at the Beita junction.”
Israel stated that it has sent a request to the Palestinian authorities to conduct an autopsy on the body.
The family of Eji stated, “We are frustrated by what is being said about her killing being at the hands of a trained sniper and that the (incident) was in no way intentional.”
The West Bank has witnessed an increase in violent attacks carried out by settlers against Palestinians, which has sparked outrage among Israel’s Western allies, including the United States, which has imposed sanctions on some Israelis involved in the incursions of extremist settlers.
Palestinians have been protesting weekly in Beita since 2020 against the expansion of the Evyatar settlement, which is an outpost near the village. Extremist members of the ruling coalition in Israel have taken steps to legalize previously unauthorized settlement outposts such as Evyatar, a move that Washington says threatens the stability of the West Bank and undermines efforts aimed at a two-state solution.
Since the 1967 war, Israel has occupied the West Bank of the Jordan River, which is the area that Palestinians wish to be the nucleus of their future independent state.
Israel has expanded the construction of settlements in the West Bank, which most countries consider illegal. Israel rejects this accusation, pointing to historical and biblical ties to the region.
