White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said the U.S. was "deeply disturbed by the tragic death" of the activist, identified as Aysenur Eygi.
"We have reached out to the government of Israel to ask for more information and request an investigation into the incident," Savett said in a statement.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew extended his "deepest condolences" to Eygi's family.
"We are urgently gathering more information about the circumstances of her death, and will have more to say as we learn more," Lew wrote on X. "We have no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned Israel for the shooting.
The pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement (ISM) said the demonstration on Friday largely consisted of people praying, but accused the Israeli military of firing tear gas before using live ammunition.
Eygi was volunteering with the ISM when she was killed.
The Israeli military said forces "responded with fire toward a main instigator of violent activity who hurled rocks at the forces and posed a threat to them," and added they were reviewing the incident.
Israel has been accused of killing several Americans in the West Bank, including journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May 2022.
Israel is wrapping up a major raid it launched roughly 10 days ago in the West Bank that it said killed 14 militants and saw the arrest of 30 others.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah said 39 people have died since the raids began, including eight children.
At least 691 people have died in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on Oct. 7.
The protest Friday took place in the village of Beita, which ISM said has seen demonstrations against illegal Israeli outposts.
No comments:
Post a Comment