US treats Aysenur Eygi’s killing by Israel with the same concern as for any American citizen: Envoy

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - US deputy envoy to the UN Robert Wood reacted Tuesday to criticism over Washington’s response to the killing of Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi by Israeli forces, emphasizing that there is "no difference between American citizens" when it comes to such tragedies.

Responding to a question from Anadolu at the UN headquarters in New York about the killing of Eygi in the occupied West Bank last Friday, Wood said he had seen the preliminary findings from Israel’s investigation.

"The Israelis said and they believe that she was unfortunately killed, not intentionally by the IDF," he said.

Wood said he expresses deep concern over the death of any American citizen and noted that US officials remain in contact with Israeli authorities to gather all the details.

- 'It is a tragedy'

Conveying his condolences to the family of the slain Turkish American activist, Wood said "it is a tragedy."

"We want to try to limit these things from ever happening again," he added.

When pressed about the perceived difference in the US administration's response to Eygi’s death compared to the swift reaction following the killing of other American citizens like Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was among six hostages recently found dead in Gaza, Wood said he did not know the exact details of "what has transpired."

"The president was very concerned about this issue. He has been in close touch with his advisors about it," he said.

Emphasizing that President Joe Biden’s team is also in constant communication with its Israeli counterparts, Wood said: "So please don't take the fact that he may not have already met or already spoken with somebody from the family to mean that there's some kind of a difference here. There's no difference between the two Americans or Americans."

Biden has a long history of reaching out to bereaved victims' families, including the family of Goldberg, who was killed in Hamas captivity after being taken hostage during the Palestinian group’s Oct. 7 cross-border attack on Israel.

Biden spoke repeatedly with Goldberg's parents, Jon and Rachel, while he was in captivity and after he was killed.

It is unclear if the White House is trying to set up a call with the Eygi family.

Eygi, 26, a dual US and Turkish citizen, was fatally shot by Israeli forces on Friday during a protest against illegal Israeli settlements in Beita, a town just outside the city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank.

Witnesses reported that Israeli soldiers opened live fire on demonstrators. Though she was standing away from the main protest area, she was fatally shot in the head. Despite being rushed to a hospital, medical workers were unable to save her.

Eygi, born in Antalya, Türkiye in 1998, graduated in June from the University of Washington, where she studied psychology and Middle Eastern languages and cultures.

She arrived in the West Bank on Tuesday to volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement as part of an effort to support and safeguard Palestinian farmers.

Eygi's family released a statement urging the Biden administration to order an independent investigation into her killing.

*Serife Cetin contributed to this story from New York