Israel"s actions and accountability for killing Americans in conflict

Aysenur Eygi, a 26-year-old Turkish American activist, was shot and killed by an Israeli soldier during a protest against Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Eygi's death marks the third killing of a US citizen by the Israeli military since the onset of the conflict following Hamas' attacks on October 7. Eygi's family has publicly rejected President Biden's characterization of her death as an accident, asserting that it was a targeted attack. The Israeli military claimed that Eygi was killed by a ricocheted bullet intended for another protester, whom they labeled as the 'key instigator' of what they described as a violent riot. Eygi was part of the International Solidarity Movement, which advocates for Palestinian rights through nonviolent means. The use of live ammunition, tear gas, and stun grenades by Israeli forces during the protest has raised serious concerns about the military's engagement rules. Historically, the US has seen multiple citizens killed by Israeli forces, with at least ten deaths reported in the last two decades. Despite calls for accountability, investigations into these incidents often lack transparency and result in little to no consequences for the Israeli military. Eygi's death has reignited discussions about the perceived double standard in how the US responds to the killing of its citizens by an ally. The Biden administration has expressed a desire for accountability, but skepticism remains regarding Israel's willingness to conduct a thorough investigation. Legal avenues for justice exist, including the possibility of US officials participating in investigations, but the effectiveness of such measures is uncertain given the historical context of impunity surrounding these incidents.