To the family of a Turkish-American activist who was shot dead Israeli forces In the occupied West Bank, the United States urged the United States to launch an independent investigation into his assassination, saying the Israeli investigation was not “sufficient.”
Aysenur Ezgi Ece, 26 years old Shot by an Israeli soldier While participating in a demonstration against illegal Israeli settlers in the West Bank village of Beita, in the city of Nablus, in the sixth exhibition, second testimonies and local authorities.
An autopsy confirmed that Iji, who died of his wounds in a Nablus hospital, was killed by a gunshot to the head, Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas told Al Jazeera on Saturday.
Douglas said that the Nablus governorate, where Beita is located, will hold an official memorial service for Iji after his body is handed over to his family.
“Isenor, a city in North America, peacefully stood up for justice when she died,” she told her family in a statement Saturday, calling her “a passionate human rights activist.”
“Our lives were taken unnecessarily, illegally and violently by the Israeli military,” the statement said.
Israeli reaction
In response to the killing of Iggy, the Israeli military will confirm that its forces will fire at the “main instigator of violent activity who threw stones” during a demonstration, and that they are investigating reports of a foreign city being killed.
Eji was a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a pro-Palestinian organization. The group on Saturday dismissed allegations that ISM activists had thrown stones at Israeli forces as “false” and said the demonstration was peaceful.
Several testimonies indicate that the Israeli shooter, who was stationed on a nearby rooftop, attacked Iggy after she moved into an olive grove.
“A sniper fired at a building – or two shots – and they attacked and assassinated Aysenor,” British human rights activist Rob Sadler said, responding to the idea that she represented any Israeli forces.
To do this, Sadler told Al Jazeera, Aysinur is “the ultimate fez or sacrifice.” But we will continue to work on her behalf and ensure that her sacrifices are not in vain. We will continue to put pressure on Israel so that Palestine remains free.”
Israeli investigation 'insufficient'
US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savitt said the Biden administration was “deeply troubled by (Iggy's) tragic death” and asked Israel to investigate.
Not much, Iggy's defenders I doubt that an Israeli investigator will clarify all the facts or ensure responsibility.
“If these cases are not achievable for the Israeli military, they will drag on for weeks and months and then be resolved, like many cases before them,” Sultan Barakat, a professor of public policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, told Al Jazeera.
The Iji family said the Israeli investigation was inadequate “given the circumstances” and urged the United States to address the matter.
“We call on President Biden, Vice President (Kamala) Harris, and Secretary of State (Anthony) Blinken to order an independent investigation into the unlawful killing of an American city and to ensure full accountability for the accused before the family,” he said.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric also called for a “full investigation,” saying that “civilians must be protected at all times.”
“Not unpublished”
He is not the first American citizen to be killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank.
Earlier this year, a fugitive Israeli police officer and a settler shot and killed a 17-year-old American girl. Tawfiq Ajaj Near his ancestral village, Al Mazraa Al Sharqiya. The case is under investigation.
M 2022, Israeli sniper shot American citizen and Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was reporting from the Jenin refugee camp at the time.
North American Senator Chris Van Hollen said Iggy was the third American to die in the West Bank since October 7, and that the Biden administration “does not have enough money to pursue justice and accountability on his behalf.”
“It’s unfortunate, but not without precedent,” Palestinian lawyer and activist Tariq Khalil told Al Jazeera. “This is another incident, another horrific killing of an innocent person who was protesting.”
