The White House expressed deep concern over the death of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, an American-Turkish citizen, who was shot dead during protests against Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Palestinian officials and witnesses claim Eygi, a 26-year-old volunteer peace activist working with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), was fatally shot in the head by Israeli forces. The US Department of State confirmed her death, prompting immediate calls for an investigation from the White House.
The International Solidarity Movement (ISM), where Eygi was working, stated that Israeli forces intentionally shot and killed an international human rights activist during a weekly protest on Friday morning. While the initial statement didn’t name the volunteer, it detailed the demonstration, which involved men and children praying, being met with violence from Israeli forces stationed on a hill. The ISM emphasized the family’s wish for privacy during this tragic time, urging respect for their grief.
The White House, after confirming Eygi’s identity, called for a thorough investigation into the incident, though they didn’t explicitly attribute her death to Israeli troops. US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller and US Ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, expressed condolences to Eygi’s family and stated their commitment to gathering information about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Sean Savett, the White House’s National Security Council spokesperson, echoed the sentiments of deep concern and offered condolences to Eygi’s family and loved ones. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described her death as a ‘tragic loss’ and pledged to act upon the findings of the investigation.
Turkey, as Eygi’s home country, reacted strongly to the incident. The foreign ministry expressed deep sorrow and condemned the attack. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described the attack as Israel’s ‘barbaric intervention against a civilian protest’ and called for accountability for the ‘genocide policy’ against Palestinians.
The Israeli military acknowledged firing at protesters but stated they were investigating the death of the foreign national. They claimed they responded with fire toward a main instigator of violent activity who hurled rocks at their forces, posing a threat to them.
Eygi’s death marks the third ISM activist to be killed since 2000 and the 18th demonstrator killed in Beita since 2020. This incident brings to mind the 2003 death of Rachel Corrie, killed by an Israeli bulldozer, and the 2004 death of Tom Hurndall, a British volunteer, who was shot while assisting Palestinian children.
This tragic event has sparked international condemnation and heightened tensions between the US, Israel, and Turkey. The call for an investigation underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for accountability for Eygi’s death.
