U.S. Demands Changes in Israeli Military Conduct After Fatal Shooting of 26-Year-Old Aysenur Eygi

Sep 11, 2024, 10:48 AM

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have called for significant changes in Israeli military conduct following the fatal shooting of 26-year-old American-Turkish activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in the West Bank. Blinken described the incident as 'unprovoked and unjustified,' emphasizing that no one should be killed for attending a protest. Austin expressed grave concern and urged a reexamination of the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) rules of engagement. President Joe Biden also condemned the shooting, calling it 'totally unacceptable' and demanding full accountability from Israel. Eygi, who was raised in Seattle, was killed during a protest against settlement expansion. Vice President Kamala Harris echoed these sentiments, calling the shooting unacceptable and raising questions about IDF conduct. The U.S. government is urging Israel to ensure such incidents do not happen again.