Chicago – September 10, 2024
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for major changes to the Israeli military’s operations in the West Bank following the accidental shooting of an American protester, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi. Eygi, 26, who also held Turkish citizenship, was fatally shot during a protest in Beita, a village close to Nablus. The area has seen frequent attacks by far-right Jewish settlers.
The Israeli military admitted that it was likely responsible for the shooting but stated that it was unintentional. They expressed deep regret over the incident. This marks one of Blinken’s most critical statements towards the military actions of the U.S.’s key ally in the Middle East. He described Eygi’s death as “unprovoked and unjustified” and emphasized that the U.S. would push for operational changes by Israeli forces in the region.
The Israeli government has not yet commented on Blinken’s statements. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has started an investigation into the incident, which will be reviewed by higher authorities once completed.
