OPINION - Selective outrage: The US bias in the cases of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi and Hersh Goldberg-Polin

By Ihsan Faruk Kılavuz

- The author is a researcher at TRT World Research Center based in Istanbul, Türkiye.

ISTANBUL (AA) — Recently, the White House's response to two deadly events in the occupied Palestinian territories has once again revealed the problems of selectivity, discrimination, and double standards tainting the American administration’s approach to Palestinian rights.

On Aug. 31, 2024, President Joe Biden issued a strong statement [1] condemning the abduction and death of American national Hersh Goldberg-Polin following the events of Oct. 7, expressing his "devastation and outrage." Shortly after that, the US Department of Justice announced that it would launch an investigation into Goldberg-Polin's death, which would not be limited to his case alone but would encompass all incidents involving harm to American citizens by Hamas.

However, the reaction to Aysenur Ezgi Eygi's killing by an Israeli sniper starkly contrasts with the US administration's typically forceful response to threats against its nationals.

Eygi, a 26-year-old Turkish-American activist who was fatally shot by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, was met with barely a murmur from the White House. Eygi was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier while protesting the expansion of Jewish settlements near Nablus. Despite Israeli claims that she was a "violent instigator," eyewitnesses reported that she was neither involved in the clashes nor posed any threat to the soldiers. Moreover, forensic autopsies conducted in both Palestine and Türkiye confirmed that Eygi's killing was not accidental.

Both the US and Turkish governments have expressed concern over the incident. However, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned [2] the killing as "barbaric," Washington merely issued a mild message of condolence and claimed the incident was "unintentional," despite Israel's acknowledgment of its responsibility in Aysenur's slaying.

Even more strikingly, while the Turkish government launched an investigation and announced its intention to bring the case to international courts, the White House not only refrained from taking any concrete steps but also blatantly ignored calls for an independent investigation into Eygi's killing from her family, the American public, and the international community, noting that the Israeli military would carry out their own investigation, which is unlikely to deliver true accountability.

- Washington perpetuates a culture of impunity

Eygi's homicide mirrors the 2022 killing of Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh, another US citizen, in the West Bank. An analysis of the bullet that killed her revealed it was a 5.56 mm round commonly used by the Israeli military and manufactured in the US.

A documentary by Al Jazeera shows how the US accepted Israel's self-investigation, which concluded that Abu Akleh's death was likely unintentional, despite eyewitnesses and independent probes suggesting that she was deliberately targeted by an Israeli sniper. While Al Jazeera has requested that the International Criminal Court investigate and prosecute those responsible, the US has opposed the ICC's involvement, citing its longstanding objections to the tribunal's investigation into the Palestinian situation.

Washington's refusal to hold Israel accountable for Abu Akleh's death and its resistance to international justice has contributed to a culture of impunity. This latitude has resulted in the deaths of more than 150 Palestinian journalists in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, many of whom were likely killed with US-supplied weapons.

Tragically, this culture of impunity has now claimed the life of Eygi, one of three US nationals killed by Israeli forces and armed civilians in the West Bank since the beginning of the year. American citizens Tawfic Abdel Jabbar and Mohammed Khdour, both 17, were shot in the head while traveling in separate incidents.

- A tale of double standards

The glaring disparity between the US response to the Goldberg-Polin murder and the subdued reaction to Aysenur Ezgi Eygi's killing highlights that US citizenship alone is insufficient to warrant protection. In Washington's view, alignment with the administration's political stance is also required to be treated as a true American national.

The differing responses to Eygi and Goldberg-Polin's deaths are clear: Eygi was a pro-Palestinian activist, while Goldberg-Polin was not.

Eygi was part of the International Solidarity Movement, the same group to which 23-year-old American Rachel Corrie belonged when she was crushed by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003 while trying to stop the demolition of a Palestinian home in Gaza. Similarly, Eygi was killed by Israeli forces while protesting illegal settlements.

When questioned about the double standard in the handling of Eygi's and Goldberg-Polin's murders, White House officials replied, "Each circumstance is unique and different." While this response disappointed many, it was hardly surprising.

The US justice system often bases its reactions on the identities of the "killer" and the "victim" rather than applying a consistent standard. In this case, the fact that Israel was the perpetrator and Eygi, a pro-Palestinian activist, was the victim, meant that the US administration did not react with the necessary attention or outrage to the murder of an American citizen. Thus, the statements from US officials reflected this selective and biased approach.

- Accountability starts in Washington

The US stands as Israel's biggest supporter, providing it weapons — tens of thousands of tons of bombs and every type of sophisticated weaponry imaginable — and offering political protection in front of international organizations. Additionally, Washington's strategic silence has emboldened Israel and supported its illegal actions, including its disregard for war crimes.

Given the severity of the allegations and the potential involvement of US-made weapons, Türkiye should join efforts conducted by US-based human rights organizations that urged [3] the FBI to open an investigation into Aysenur Ezgi Eygi's killing. Holding those responsible accountable under the Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act would be an estimable step, and Türkiye's support in this effort would emphasize the importance of justice and the protection of its nationals abroad. By raising Eygi's case with the FBI, Türkiye can help ensure that the truth is uncovered and that all parties involved are held to account, reinforcing its commitment to upholding human rights and international law.

[1] https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4858221-biden-hersh-goldberg-polin-gaza/

[2] https://www.dha.com.tr/politika/cumhurbaskani-erdogandan-aysenur-ezgi-eygi-aciklamasi-2501154

[3] https://dawnmena.org/u-s-investigate-and-hold-accountable-israeli-forces-responsible-for-killing-of-u-s-citizen-aysenur-eygi/

*Opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu.