Kamala Harris Says ‘Unacceptable’ Killing of American Protestor in West Bank ‘Raises Legitimate Questions About the Conduct of IDF’

Vice President Kamala Harris called the killing of American protestor Aysenur Eygi “unacceptable” and said that the U.S. will press Israel for answers.

Eygi was in the West Bank volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). During a protest, Israel Defense Forces personnel opened fire and killed the 26-year-old.

In its own reporting of the incident, the IDF claimed it was “highly likely” that Eygi was “hit indirectly and unintentionally by IDF fire.” The IDF further clarified that the shot was meant for a “key instigator” in the “violent riot.”

The ISM maintains that the protest was peaceful.

In a statement released Wednesday, Harris emphasized that there will be “full accountability” for those responsible for Eygi’s killing:

The killing of Aysenur Eygi is a horrific tragedy that never should have happened. Doug 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 shooting that led to her death is unacceptable and 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.

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.

The United States will continue to hold accountable anyone in the West Bank — Israelis and Palestinians — who stokes violence and undermines peace and stability.

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