US says Israeli decision to open criminal probe into murder of Turkish American activist is 'noteworthy'

WASHINGTON

The Israeli military's decision to open a criminal investigation into the murder of 26-year-old Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi is "noteworthy," the White House said Tuesday.

The announcement came after the Israeli military made public the results of a preliminary investigation into Eygi's fatal shooting, finding it was “highly likely” that she was “indirectly and unintentionally” shot by its forces. The military claimed the fire “was aimed at a key instigator of a violent riot, not at the activist.”

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the White House will follow the criminal probe as it proceeds, adding that any additional action from Washington will depend on "if and how anyone is held accountable" for Eygi's killing.

"We're going to be watching that very, very closely. We know that's an unusual step for the IDF. That's not something that they do typically. So again, it's noteworthy," Kirby told reporters.

"We'll continue to watch where it goes, and stay in touch with Israeli leaders as that moves forward. Because obviously this is just a tragic, tragic outcome, and as Secretary (Antony) Blinken said, it should not occur for an innocent bystander to be killed in a protest," he added.

Eygi, 26, a dual Turkish US national, was killed by Israeli forces during a protest Friday against illegal Israeli settlements in the town of Beita.

The Israeli claim runs counter to accounts by witnesses about Eygi’s death.

Mounir Khdair, a Palestinian witness, said an Israeli sniper who killed the activist cried out for joy after shooting her.

Jonathan Pollak, an Israeli activist who has taken part in anti-settlement protests for years, said soldiers quickly dispersed protesters after Friday prayers in Beita with tear gas and live bullets.

“The soldier who killed the activist took a kill shot. That kill shot was not an isolated incident. It happened in the context of the ongoing escalation and violence in the West Bank,” he said.

“The bullet that killed Aysenur was the same bullet that killed people in Nur Shams and Jenin” in the West Bank, he added.