UN Calls for Full Investigation into West Bank Shooting of US-Turkish Woman

The United Nations has called for a comprehensive investigation into the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old US-Turkish dual national, during a protest in the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred on Friday near the town of Beita, close to Nablus, where Eygi was participating in a weekly protest against the expansion of Jewish settlements.

Eygi, a recent graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle, was reportedly shot by Israeli forces during the protest. According to an eyewitness account on the BBC World Service’s Newshour program, two shots were heard at the protest. The eyewitness, Jewish-Israeli activist Jonathan Pollak, who was present at the scene, described soldiers aiming from a rooftop and emphasized that Eygi was in a clear line of sight when she was shot.

Pollak recounted the harrowing moments following the shooting, stating, “I heard someone calling my name, saying in English, ‘Help us. We need help.’ I ran towards them.” He found Eygi lying on the ground, bleeding from her head under an olive tree. Pollak attempted to stop the bleeding but noted that Eygi’s pulse was extremely weak. Despite being rushed to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, Eygi was later pronounced dead. Dr. Fouad Nafaa, head of the hospital, confirmed that Eygi died from a gunshot wound to the head.

The UN, represented by spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, expressed deep concern over the incident, calling for a full investigation and accountability. “Civilians must be protected at all times,” Dujarric stressed. The US also voiced its concerns, with Sean Savett, spokesman for the White House’s National Security Council, stating that the US was “deeply disturbed by the tragic death of an American citizen.” The US has reached out to the Israeli government, requesting more information and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Eygi’s death has sparked international outrage, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemning the incident as “barbaric.” Turkey’s foreign ministry also issued a statement, accusing Israeli occupation soldiers of being responsible for the killing. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his condolences, lamenting the “tragic loss.”

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded with a statement acknowledging that their forces had opened fire in response to what they described as violent activity, including rock-throwing, which posed a threat to their forces. The IDF stated, “The details of the incident and the circumstances in which she was hit are under review.” However, Pollak contested the IDF’s account, asserting that there had been no stone-throwing in the area where Eygi was shot and that soldiers faced no immediate threat.

Eygi’s participation in the protest marked her first involvement with the International Solidarity Movement, a pro-Palestinian group that regularly protests against Israeli settlement expansion. This latest incident has intensified scrutiny over Israel’s actions in the occupied territories, particularly as tensions continue to escalate. Israeli forces recently withdrew from Jenin city and its refugee camp in the West Bank following a significant nine-day operation that resulted in the deaths of at least 36 Palestinians, including children, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

The ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where over 700,000 Jews now reside, remains a contentious issue. These settlements are considered illegal under international law, a stance supported by the UN Security Council and several countries, including the UK, although Israel rejects this position.

Eygi’s death has reignited calls for greater accountability and protection of civilians in conflict zones, highlighting the complexities and dangers faced by those involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The UN’s demand for a thorough investigation underscores the international community’s insistence on transparency and justice in such tragic incidents.