WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Askume) – The United States on Monday called on Israel to fully investigate the killing of a Turkish-American woman in the Israeli-occupied West Bank last week, saying it believed Israel had initiated the act.
Turkish and Palestinian officials said on Friday that Israeli soldiers shot and killed 26-year-old Esenur Ezgi Ezgi as he took part in a protest against settlement expansion.
“Our understanding is that our partners in Israel are investigating the circumstances of this incident, and we expect them to make their findings public,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a news conference.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby later said it was understood Israel was “moving expeditiously with this investigation” and was expected to release its findings in the coming days.
Palestinian news agency WAFA said the incident occurred during a regular protest march organised by Betah activists. Betah is a village near Nablus where Palestinians have been repeatedly attacked by Jewish immigrants.
The Israeli military said it was investigating reports that a female foreign national was “shot and killed in the area. Details of the incident and the circumstances surrounding her killing are being reviewed.”
Patel and Kirby gave no further details about the circumstances of the killings and said Washington would withhold judgment until Israel presented its findings.
Turkish President Erdogan posted a message on social media condemning Igi’s death and said Turkey would “continue to work on various platforms to stop Israel’s occupation and genocidal policies.” Israel denies that its actions in the occupied Palestinian territories constitute genocide.
A rise in violent attacks by Israeli migrants against Palestinians in the West Bank has sparked anger among Israel’s Western allies, including the United States, which has imposed sanctions on some Israelis involved in the migrant movement.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since the 1967 Middle East war and Palestinians want the territory to become an independent state.
Israel has built settlements there that most countries consider illegal. Israel rejects the claim, citing historical and biblical ties to the land.
