Jersey City man shot by Israeli forces during West Bank protest in August
- Daniel Santiago, an activist, was shot in the thigh by Israeli forces during a protest in the West Bank on August 9.
- The IDF claimed they used riot dispersal methods, but Santiago contended that they were firing directly at protesters.
- Santiago's injury and the recent death of another American protester highlight the dangers faced by activists in the region.
In August, a Jersey City man named Daniel Santiago was shot by Israeli military forces during a protest in the West Bank, specifically near Beita. The protest began peacefully with prayer and chanting, but escalated when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) became aggressive. Santiago described how he and other protesters sought refuge behind a concrete wall as live rounds were fired. He sustained a gunshot wound to his thigh, which he showed to CBS News, highlighting the severity of his injury. Santiago criticized the IDF's claim that they only fired into the air to disperse a violent riot, asserting that the bullets were aimed directly at them. He expressed concern over the shooting of another American, Aysenur Eygi, who was fatally shot two days after arriving in the West Bank while protesting. Santiago noted that Eygi was shot in the head after the protest had concluded, emphasizing the risks faced by protesters in the region. The IDF confirmed the shooting incident, stating that their troops responded to a main instigator who posed a threat by throwing rocks. Santiago lamented that if proper action had been taken when he was shot, Eygi might still be alive. He expressed his sympathies to her family and friends, highlighting the tragic consequences of the violence in the area. Despite knowing the risks involved in going to the West Bank, Santiago is determined to see these incidents investigated further, as he believes accountability is necessary for the safety of future protesters.