In the wake of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s fatal shooting, critics question whether the US will seek justice from Israeli forces.

The fatal shooting of a 26-year-old Turkish American protester in the occupied West Bank has sparked fresh calls for the United States to demand accountability from Israel’s armed forces.

But advocates say justice for US citizens killed by Israeli soldiers has long proven elusive, with many accusing the administration of President Joe Biden of applying a double standard to Israel and its military.

Friday’s shooting claimed the life of 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a dual US and Turkish citizen who was taking part in a demonstration against an illegal Israeli settlement on Mount Sbeih in Beita, a town south of Nablus.

During the protest, witnesses said an Israeli soldier shot Ezgi Eygi in the head, and she collapsed in an olive grove. She later died of her wounds at Rafidia Hospital in Nablus.

Palestinian American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib was among the first US officials to respond to the killing, and she called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to “do something to save lives”.

Blinken himself was asked about the killing at a news briefing later in the day, where a journalist pressed him on the military aid the US continues to provide to Israel.

“I just want to extend my deepest condolences, condolences of the United States government, to the family of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi,” Blinken responded. “We deplore this tragic loss.”

He said the Biden administration would “gather the facts” and “act on it” as necessary.

“I have no higher priority than the safety and protection of American citizens, wherever they are,” Blinken added, echoing a similar statement made by US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew.

Source: Al Jazeera

To mark the International Day against Islamophobia, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for decisive action to combat religious intolerance and hatred targeting Muslims.

Initiated by Pakistan and backed by the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the resolution received overwhelming support, with 115 votes in favor and 44 abstentions.

The resolution, titled “Measures to Combat Islamophobia,” faced contention with proposed amendments from the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom, both of which were ultimately rejected.

One of the proposed amendments sought to broaden the scope by replacing specific references to attacks against Muslims with a more general reference to religious intolerance.

The second proposed amendment aimed to appoint a focal point rather than a Special Envoy, a move opposed by the Pakistani delegation who argued for the necessity of a dedicated envoy to address the complexities of Islamophobia comprehensively.

Central to the resolution is the call for the appointment of a Special Envoy of the United Nations tasked specifically with combating Islamophobia.

The adoption of this resolution comes at a critical juncture, as incidents of Islamophobia continue to rise globally.

From hate speech and negative stereotypes, to violent attacks on mosques and individuals, the scourge of Islamophobia poses a significant threat to the fundamental principles of tolerance, diversity, and respect for human rights.

In addition to calling for the appointment of a Special Envoy, the resolution urges member states to implement robust laws and policies to address religious intolerance and combat the spread of hatred and incitement to violence against Muslims.

The resolution builds on previous efforts by the United Nations to condemn acts of religious hatred, including the burning of the Quran, and to recognize such actions as violations of international law.

Source: Morocco World News