Blinken Criticizes Israel's Actions in West Bank Following Death of Turkish-American Woman

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that he will pressure the Israeli government to implement "fundamental changes" in the operations of its military and security forces. Blinken made these remarks on Tuesday, September 20, after the Israeli army admitted that Aisha Noor Ozgi Iki, an American-Turkish activist, was killed by Israeli soldiers during a protest against the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank. In a press conference in London, Blinken said that the U.S. government would raise the killing of this American-Turkish woman in discussions with senior Israeli officials. He added, "Preliminary investigation results and eyewitness accounts indicate that her killing was unjustified and unreasonable. No one should be killed for participating in a protest. No one’s life should be endangered for expressing an opinion." Blinken further stated that Israeli security forces need to make fundamental changes in their operational methods in the West Bank, noting that this is the second American citizen killed by Israeli security forces, which is unacceptable and must change. He also expressed concern about the lack of restraint on aggressive actions by Jewish settlers, who are attacking Palestinians in the West Bank while the war continues in Gaza, and the lack of accountability for these actions. Aisha Noor Ozgi Iki, 26, who participated in weekly protests against the expansion of Jewish settlements, was shot in the head by Israeli soldiers on Friday, September 16, and died shortly after. Jewish settlements built in the occupied Palestinian territories are considered illegal under international law and UN resolutions. The Israeli army stated on Tuesday that "she was likely unintentionally and indirectly hit by Israeli soldiers' fire." The statement added, "She was not targeted, and the main target of the soldiers' fire was one of the main instigators of the riot." The Israeli army claimed that Ms. Iki was killed "in a violent riot during which dozens of Palestinians were throwing stones at security forces." Aisha Noor Ozgi Iki was a member of the "International Solidarity Movement," a group supporting Palestinians. This group denied Israel's claim about stone-throwing at security forces, stating that the protest on Friday, September 16, was peaceful. The UN Human Rights Office reported that Israeli army forces killed this Palestinian activist by shooting directly at her head. The Palestinian news agency "Wafa" also reported, citing the mayor of Beita, in the Nablus area where the protest took place, that Ms. Iki was killed by Israeli soldiers. The Turkish government, in its official statement, said that this citizen was killed by "the soldiers of the occupying Israeli army," and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Israel, describing the killing of Ms. Iki as "a brutal act." In another part of the press conference on Tuesday, the U.S. Secretary of State stated that both sides in the Gaza war still have "serious differences," but emphasized that an agreement leading to a reduction in tensions would benefit all parties. He added, "Reaching an agreement is entirely in Israel's interest." British Foreign Secretary David Lammy also condemned Israel's attack on a "safe zone" in Gaza during this press conference. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, reported that at least 40 Palestinians were killed in this attack. Israel claimed that it targeted a Hamas command center in this attack.