Israeli Soldiers Shoot and Kill American Activist in West Bank Protest
Israeli soldiers shot and killed American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi on Friday during a protest against an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank. The incident has raised concerns about the United States government’s response and its commitment to seeking accountability for her killing.
Lack of Response to Killings of American Citizens
Eygi’s death follows the killings of two other Palestinian Americans earlier this year in the West Bank. Tawfic Abdel Jabbar and Mohammad Khdour were both shot and killed by Israeli forces, but the U.S. government has yet to launch investigations into their deaths. This lack of response has led to criticism that not all Americans are treated equally when it comes to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
De Facto Policy of Inequality
Lara Friedman, president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, stated that the muted responses from the U.S. government after the killings of American citizens in the occupied West Bank have become de facto policy. She emphasized that Israeli Americans are worth fighting for accountability, while Palestinian Americans and those who stand with them are not.
Pattern of Killings
Friedman highlighted the deaths of Rachel Corrie, a fellow American peace activist who was crushed by an armored Israeli bulldozer in 2003, and Shireen Abu Akleh, a prominent Palestinian American journalist who was intentionally shot and killed by an Israeli sniper in 2021. These cases, along with Eygi’s killing, demonstrate a pattern of violence against Americans who support Palestinian rights.
Escalation of Israeli Aggression
Eygi’s death comes amid escalating aggression by Israeli forces in the West Bank. Large military operations have been conducted, resulting in the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the loss of civilian lives, including children. The Israeli military’s use of force has drawn international criticism, but accountability for these actions remains elusive.
Eygi’s Background and Activism
Eygi, an American of Turkish descent, was a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement, an organization dedicated to nonviolent support of Palestinian resistance to the Israeli occupation. She had recently graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in psychology and had experience working with children with autism.
Protests Against Illegal Settlements
Eygi joined protesters demonstrating against the expansion of an illegal settlement outpost called Evyatar. Palestinian residents from Beita, along with international activists, have been holding regular protests against the outpost, often facing violent responses from the Israeli military.
Calls for Equality and Accountability
Friedman expressed hope that the U.S. government would respond to Eygi’s killing with equality and hold Israel accountable. She emphasized that there should not be an ideological litmus test for whose lives matter and that all American citizens should be protected and valued, regardless of their political stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Conclusion
The killing of American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in the West Bank highlights the unequal treatment of American citizens in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The lack of response from the U.S. government and the pattern of violence against Americans who support Palestinian rights raise concerns about accountability and justice. It is crucial for the U.S. to address these issues and ensure the safety and security of all American citizens involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.