News
US Secretary of State Blinken Condemns Israeli Forces After Killing of American Activist in West Bank

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has called for “fundamental changes” in how Israeli forces operate in the occupied West Bank, following the killing of American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi during a protest. Blinken’s criticism came after the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged that it was “highly likely” Eygi was “hit indirectly and unintentionally by IDF fire” during a demonstration.
Eygi, a 26-year-old US citizen and recent graduate of the University of Washington, was participating in a weekly protest against an Israeli settlement near the Palestinian village of Beita when she was shot. The IDF claims its fire was aimed at an unidentified “key instigator” of a “violent riot” involving rock-throwing and tire burning by Palestinians. Eygi, who was volunteering with the pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement (ISM), died from her injuries.
At a press conference in London, Blinken condemned the killing as “unprovoked and unjustified” and demanded changes to the Israeli forces’ rules of engagement. “No one should be shot and killed for attending a protest,” he said. “Now we have the second American citizen killed at the hands of Israeli security forces. It’s not acceptable. It has to change.”
Blinken also highlighted broader concerns, pointing to “longstanding reports” of Israeli forces failing to prevent settler violence against Palestinians and using excessive force in the West Bank. Eygi’s death is the latest incident in escalating violence in the region, where Israeli raids and settler attacks have intensified since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks in Gaza.
Eygi’s family has demanded an independent investigation into her death, criticizing Israel’s internal probe as inadequate. The IDF has launched an inquiry through its Military Police Criminal Investigation Division, which will be reviewed by the Military Advocate General’s Corps.
The incident has further strained US-Israel relations, with Washington recently unveiling sanctions targeting Israeli settler violence against Palestinians. Eygi’s killing has drawn comparisons to the 2003 death of Rachel Corrie, another American ISM activist, killed while trying to stop an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza.
As tensions continue, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that Israeli forces and settlers have killed 692 Palestinians, including 158 children, in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since October.
News
Myanmar Struck by Aftershocks as Earthquake Death Toll Rises
News
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Effort to Dismantle Voice of America
News
Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
-
Business10 months ago
Saudi Arabia’s Model for Sustainable Aviation Practices
-
Business10 months ago
Recent Developments in Small Business Taxes
-
Politics10 months ago
Who was Ebrahim Raisi and his status in Iranian Politics?
-
Business9 months ago
Carrectly: Revolutionizing Car Care in Chicago
-
Business9 months ago
Saudi Arabia: Foreign Direct Investment Rises by 5.6% in Q1
-
Technology10 months ago
Comparing Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3
-
Politics10 months ago
Indonesia and Malaysia Call for Israel’s Compliance with ICJ Ruling on Gaza Offensive
-
Technology10 months ago
Recent Developments in AI Ethics in America