Will IDF be held accountable for killing American citizen in West Bank?
Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari points at what he says is a guard roster in a room the military suspects was used by Hamas to hold hostages in the basement of Rantissi Hospital, a paediatric hospital with a specialty in treating cancer patients, at a location given as Gaza, in this still image taken from video released November 13, 2023. (Reuters Photo)
The recent killing of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has intensified scrutiny over Israel’s accountability in the West Bank and the U.S. response to such incidents.
Eygi, an activist with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), was shot and killed by Israeli forces during a protest in Beita, near Nablus.
According to the ISM, Eygi was deliberately targeted by a sniper while observing the protest from a distance. Palestinian Foreign Ministry also condemned the shooting as part of a broader pattern of targeted Israeli violence against activists and protesters. Despite the broad allegations, the Israeli government has not even been openly criticized or held accountable officially by any body in the United States.
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen expressed frustration over the Biden Administration’s failure to condemn the killing of American citizens by Israeli forces. Van Hollen criticized the administration for not holding Israel accountable and called for a stronger U.S. stance to ensure justice for Eygi and other victims of similar incidents.
The lack of a robust response from the U.S. mirrors past instances where Israeli military actions have resulted in civilian casualties. For example, the death of American activist Rachel Corrie in 2003, who was crushed by an Israeli bulldozer, also saw limited accountability for Israeli forces despite widespread condemnation.
Eygi’s death raises questions about the broader implications for U.S.-Israeli relations and the international community’s willingness to hold Israel accountable. While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the killing and promised to seek justice through international platforms, the U.S. response remains tepid, raising concerns about the effectiveness of American influence in addressing human rights violations.
