United Nations and family call for investigation into fatal shooting of US woman in West Bank

1 of 6 | The United Nations is now calling for a “full investigation” into the death of a 26-year-old American woman who was shot by Israeli forces during a demonstration in the West Bank earlier this week. Photo courtesy of International Solidarity Movement

“We welcome the White House’s expression of condolences, but given the circumstances of Aysenur’s murder, an Israeli investigation is not appropriate,” the family said in a statement.

“We call on President (Joe) Biden, Vice President (Kamala) Harris, and Secretary of State (Antony) Blinken to order an independent investigation into the unlawful killing of a U.S. citizen and ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable.”

At a regular press conference on Friday, UN Secretary-General spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told reporters that although he had not been briefed on the case, he still supported an investigation.

“I have not heard anything about this case. I can tell you that of course we want a full investigation into the circumstances and that people are held accountable. And again, civilians must be protected at all times,” Dujarric told reporters during his daily media appearance.

“I do not have enough information. I have heard about this for the first time here and will get back to you,” he said in response to a question in which he asked in particular whether the United Nations condemns death by firearms.

Eygi, a Turkish-American citizen, died after being shot in the head by Israel Defense Forces soldiers during a weekly demonstration in the West Bank.

The young graduate of the University of Washington took part in a weekly protest against settlement expansion in the West Bank in Beita, south of Nablus.

Israeli Defense Forces later confirmed their members fired into the crowd, but said the use of force was a defensive action.

Eygi, who was born in Turkey, was hit in the head and taken to a local hospital where she later died.

“We have reached out to the Israeli government to request additional information and to call for an investigation into the incident,” White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said on Friday.

The International Solidarity Movement said 17 Palestinian protesters have been killed in Beitan since 2020.