Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, an American activist, was killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, leading to condemnation from her family and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). The Israeli military claimed that Eygi was shot unintentionally, but her family and ISM believe that her killing was deliberate and targeted. Eygi, who was from Seattle and also held Turkish citizenship, was participating in a protest against illegal Israeli settlement expansions in Beita when she was shot in the head. The family is calling for an independent investigation into the incident.
The Israeli military’s preliminary investigation into Eygi’s death concluded that she was shot indirectly and unintentionally during a protest. However, the family of Eygi and ISM reject this claim, citing eyewitness testimonies that contradict the military’s findings. The military expressed regret for Eygi’s death and initiated a criminal investigation, but her loved ones believe that the Israeli military targeted an unarmed civilian deliberately. The family is calling for transparency and requesting access to the evidence compiled by Israeli officials.
Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi was a graduate student at the University of Washington who was involved in organizing campus protests against Israel’s offensive in Gaza. She was a volunteer with ISM, a pro-Palestinian human rights group, and was participating in the demonstration in Beita at the time of her death. The Palestinian Authority held a funeral for Eygi, and Turkish officials are working to repatriate her body to fulfill her family’s wishes. The family demands an independent investigation into the killing of Eygi, a U.S. citizen.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized the Israeli military for Eygi’s killing and called for changes in their operation in the West Bank, including rules of engagement. However, Blinken did not impose sanctions or call for an independent investigation into Eygi’s death, raising concerns among Eygi’s family and supporters. President Joe Biden described the incident as an accident and stated that an investigation was ongoing. Eygi’s partner expressed disappointment that the White House had not contacted them directly to offer condolences.
Eygi’s death marked the 18th activist killed by Israeli forces in Beita since 2020, with the other 17 being Palestinians. She is the second American activist with ISM to be killed by Israel, following the death of Rachel Corrie in 2003. Corrie was killed by an Israeli armored bulldozer while defending a Palestinian home in Gaza. Craig Corrie, Rachel’s father, expressed disappointment that they have not been able to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. The family and supporters of Eygi are calling for justice and accountability for her death.
The killing of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi has sparked outrage and calls for action from her family, ISM, and supporters. They seek justice for her death and are urging the U.S. government to intervene and conduct an independent investigation into the incident. Eygi’s family remains adamant that her killing was deliberate and targeted, rejecting the Israeli military’s claim that it was unintentional. The incident has highlighted ongoing concerns about excessive use of force and human rights violations by the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank.
