U.S. President Joe Biden expressed “outrage” on Wednesday over last week’s accidental killing of an American-Turkish dual citizen during a riot near Nablus (Shechem) in Samaria.
“I am outraged and deeply saddened by the death of Aysenur Eygi. Aysenur was a recent U.S. college graduate. She was also an activist whose idealism led her to travel to the West Bank to peacefully protest the expansion of settlements. The shooting that led to her death is totally unacceptable,” a White House statement read.
“Israel has acknowledged its responsibility for Aysenur’s death, and a preliminary investigation has indicated that it was the result of a tragic error resulting from an unnecessary escalation. The U.S. government has had full access to Israel’s preliminary investigation, and expects continued access as the investigation continues, so that we can have confidence in the result,” added the statement.
An initial Israel Defense Forces probe found that 26-year-old Eygi was “with high probability” struck by “indirect and unintended IDF fire, which was aimed at a main instigator” during clashes, according to the military.
“The incident occurred during a violent gathering of dozens of Palestinian suspects, who burned tires and threw stones at forces at the Beita Junction,” added the IDF.
Eygi was an activist with the anti-Israel International Solidarity Movement.
“There must be full accountability. And Israel must do more to ensure that incidents like this never happen again,” Biden said on Wednesday.
“The violence in the West Bank has been going on for too long. Violent extremist Israeli settlers are uprooting Palestinians from their homes. Palestinian terrorists are sending car bombs to kill civilians. I will continue to support policies that hold all extremists—Israelis and Palestinians alike—accountable for stoking violence and serving as obstacles to peace,” concluded the president.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party nominee for the White House, issued a separate statement denouncing the “horrific tragedy that never should have happened.
“Doug [Emhof, her husband] and I are keeping her family and loved ones in our prayers. Aysenur was peacefully protesting in the West Bank—standing up against the expansion of settlements—when her young life was senselessly cut short. No one should be killed for participating in a peaceful protest,” the vice president continued.
According to Harris, Ezgi’s accidental death “raises legitimate questions about the conduct of IDF personnel in the West Bank. Israel must do more to ensure that incidents like this never happen again.”
She added, “Israel’s preliminary investigation indicated it was the result of a tragic error for which the IDF is responsible. We will continue to press the government of Israel for answers and for continued access to the findings of the investigation so we can have confidence in the results. There must be full accountability.”
A Military Police probe has been opened into the incident, and Israeli officials have submitted a request to carry out an autopsy, the army said.
“The IDF expresses its deepest regret over the death of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi,” it added.
Speaking with reporters while boarding Marine One on Tuesday, Biden commented, “Apparently it was an accident, ricocheted off the ground and just got hit by accident. I’m working that out now.”