What it’s about
A recent report on Wednesday challenges the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)’s version of events regarding the fatal shooting of Aysenur Eygi, a dual Turkish-American activist, in the West Bank last week.
Why it matters
The incident has drawn significant international attention and condemnation, particularly from the U.S. The IDF’s account of accidental fire conflicts with eyewitness reports and footage, raising questions about the rules of engagement and the safety measures in place during protests.
The details
Eygi, a 26-year-old activist, was participating in a protest against Israeli settlement activity at Beita Junction near Nablus in the northern West Bank. She was shot dead on Friday.
The Israeli military expressed its deepest regret, stating that Eygi was likely mistakenly hit by troops targeting another individual amidst a “violent gathering” where protestors burned tires and threw stones at the forces.
The discrepancies
The Washington Post, however, reported that Eygi was shot over half an hour after the peak of the protests and approximately 180 meters away from the troops—far from posing a significant threat at that distance. Their report is supported by 13 eyewitnesses, Beita residents, and footage provided by the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and Faz3a, Palestinian advocacy groups.
Eygi was associated with ISM, a movement that employs nonviolent tactics to resist Israeli occupation.
The aftermath
Witnesses noted that the IDF initially used tear gas to disperse the crowd but soon resorted to live ammunition. Activists and residents conveyed that the actual shooting incident was not captured on film because the scene appeared calm at the time.
Statements from those present further detailed that the soldiers’ actions quickly escalated the situation. For instance, Israeli activist Jonathan Pollack described seeing a soldier aiming a gun towards them.
Government reaction
U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris expressed their outrage over the shooting and emphasized the demand for full accountability. President Biden reinforced the initial IDF finding, noting the incident as a tragic error and unnecessary escalation, and appeared reluctant to push for an independent probe despite Eygi’s family’s demands.
The situation continues to underscore the tenuous nature of such confrontations and the delicate balance needed to manage them appropriately to avoid future fatalities.
Final thoughts
While the tragic death of Aysenur Eygi invites scrutiny and calls for accountability, the impression remains that the IDF carried out its duties under challenging conditions, expressing genuine regret for the fatal outcome. Situational complexities in conflict zones make it critical to view the IDF’s responses with responsible nuance.
This reexamination of the events further allows emphasizing the importance of continued strict adherence to engagement protocols to minimize civilian harm in the volatile context of the West Bank.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.