1. Bills, Resolutions
Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, a former senior official with the Mossad, and a former IDF intelligence officer. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.
Gaza and the Occupied Territories in general are at the forefront of conversations around the world– horrific medical scenarios, inhumane treatment of Palestinian civilians, and utterly abhorrent forms of abuse taking place in Israeli prisons and on the ground in Occupied land. B’Tselem is among the leading organizations serving as a resource for facts, figures, and personal stories and putting together the picture of just how dire the circumstances have become. To discuss the “humanitarian disaster zone” of the current Israel-Gaza war, we spoke with Sarit Michaeli, the International advocacy lead for B'Tselem.
Sarit has been at B’Tselem since 2004 and coordinates the organization’s work with international policymakers, diplomats, and civil society. Prior to her current role, Sarit was B’Tselem’s media spokesperson and director of public outreach. Sarit documents demonstrations in the West Bank, with a focus on Israeli security forces and misuse of crowd control weapons, and is active in Israel’s anti-Occupation movement. Sarit has an MA (Distinction) in Gender Studies from Birkbeck College, University of London, and a BA in graphic design from Camberwell College of Art, the London Institute. Prior to joining B’Tselem, Sarit worked as a journalist, graphic designer, and translator in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, London, and New York.
Listen to the audio on PeaceCast HERE.
Watch the video recording on YouTube HERE.
Read the transcript HERE.
UPDATE- this action alert now includes the US Senate. If you have already taken action to contact your Representative, you can fill out the form again to get in touch with your Senators.
On September 6, 2024, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, an American citizen, was shot and killed by an IDF soldier. This fact is not contested or in doubt. What is contested is how it happened. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) preliminary investigation found “it is highly likely” Ms. Eygi “was hit indirectly and unintentionally by IDF fire which was not aimed at her” during a “violent riot.” This report contradicts credible, independent eyewitness accounts that suggest the shooting was intentional without provocation.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called her killing “unprovoked and unjustified” and has said that “no-one should be shot and killed for attending a protest.”
We wholeheartedly agree.
Dear President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Attorney General Garland:
On September 6, we learned about the fatal shooting in the West Bank of American citizen Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Seattle resident and recent graduate of the University of Washington. We extend our deepest condolences to Ms. Eygi’s family during this moment of tragedy, and our thoughts are with her family and loved ones.
We are deeply disturbed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) preliminary investigation that found “it is highly likely” Ms. Eygi “was hit indirectly and unintentionally by IDF fire which was not aimed at her” during a “violent riot.” This contradicts credible, independent eyewitness accounts that suggest the shooting was intentional without provocation. A Washington Post investigation based on interviews with eyewitnesses and West Bank residents, photos, and videos indicates the shooting occurred “more than a half-hour after the height of confrontations in Beita, and some 20 minutes after protesters had moved down the main road — more than 200 yards away from Israeli forces.”
Given the evidence, we believe the United States must independently investigate whether this was a homicide. To walk away without asking further questions gives Israeli forces an unacceptable license to act with impunity. There must be accountability for Ms. Eygi’s death. We therefore call on the White House, State Department, and Department of Justice to lead an independent, thorough, credible, and transparent investigation into the killing of Ms. Eygi. This investigation should include all evidence found and rationale for how findings were determined in a written report to the family.
We request a written explanation provided to the family and the undersigned members to the following questions no later than October 4, 2024:
- What does the U.S. government currently know about the circumstances surrounding Ms. Eygi’s killing?
- Will the U.S. government conduct an independent, thorough, credible, and transparent investigation into the killing of Ms. Eygi?
- What would be the proposed timeline and plan for such an investigation?
- How will the U.S. government seek accountability if the Israeli government refuses to cooperate with such an investigation?
We appreciate your attention to these matters and look forward to your prompt response.
Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, a former senior official with the Mossad, and a former IDF intelligence officer. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.