The family of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old Turkish-American woman, is demanding an independent investigation into her death after she was shot and killed during a demonstration against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred on Friday in the village of Beita, where Eygi was participating in a weekly protest against the nearby Eviatar settlement outpost.
Eygi, a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a pro-Palestinian organization, was reportedly shot in the head by Israeli forces during the protest. Her family, in a statement, accused the Israeli military of killing her “violently” and stated that she was “peacefully standing for justice” when she was fatally shot. The family further called upon President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary of State Blinken to order an independent investigation into Eygi’s death and hold those responsible accountable.
The Israeli military claims its forces responded with fire toward an individual who was “hurling rocks at the forces and posed a threat to them” during the demonstration. However, Eygi’s family and international groups dispute this claim, highlighting the potential for bias in an Israeli investigation.
The incident has drawn international attention and condemnation. Turkey, Eygi’s country of origin, has condemned the killing as “barbaric,” while the United States has called it a “tragic” event and urged Israel to conduct a thorough investigation.
Eygi’s death comes amidst a wave of violence and tension in the West Bank. Following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza, Israeli troops and settlers have killed over 690 Palestinians in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry. During the same period, at least 23 Israelis, including security forces, have been killed in Palestinian attacks.
The international community is calling for a de-escalation of the situation and a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The demand for an independent investigation into Eygi’s death reflects the growing concern over the use of force by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank and the need for accountability and justice for all victims.
