Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Israel - Gaza War.
Aysenur Ezgi Eygi's Death Sparks International Outcry and Demands for Accountability
The United Nations has called for a comprehensive investigation into the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26 year old US Turkish citizen, during a protest in the occupied West Bank on Friday. Local reports state that Eygi was shot by Israeli forces while participating in a weekly demonstration against the expansion of Jewish settlements in Beita, near Nablus.
The Israeli military confirmed it was reviewing reports of a foreign national's death due to gunfire in the area. Eygi's family expressed deep shock and grief, describing her as a loving and fiercely passionate human rights activist. They released a statement urging the United States to conduct its own independent investigation, asserting that an Israeli led probe would be insufficient.
The US government has responded by pressing Israel for more information on the incident. Sean Savett, spokesperson for the White House's National Security Council, expressed Washington's deep disturbance over the tragic death and confirmed that the US has requested a detailed investigation.
The UN also voiced its concerns, with spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric calling for a full inquiry and emphasizing the need for accountability. He stressed that civilians must be protected at all times.
Eyewitness accounts from the scene, including those from Jewish Israeli activist Jonathan Pollak, describe Eygi being shot while medics rushed her into an ambulance. Pollak reported seeing soldiers aiming from a rooftop and hearing two shots in quick succession. He recounted running towards Eygi, who was bleeding from her head, and trying to stop the bleeding before her pulse faded.
This was Eygi's first protest with the International Solidarity Movement, a pro Palestinian group. She was taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, where she was pronounced dead. Dr. Fouad Nafaa, head of the hospital, confirmed that Eygi died from a gunshot wound to the head.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement claiming that its forces had fired at a main instigator of violent activity who posed a threat by throwing rocks. The military is investigating the circumstances of the shooting, including the involvement of a foreign national. However, Pollak disputed the IDF's account, asserting that there was no stone throwing near where Eygi was shot and that the soldiers were not under threat.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his condolences over the "tragic loss," while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the Israeli actions as "barbaric." Eygi's family mourned her passing, likening her to the olive tree beneath which she died strong, beautiful, and nourishing. They remembered her as a loving and supportive family member and a dedicated advocate for human rights.
Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was born in Antalya and graduated three months ago from the University of Washington in Seattle, where she studied psychology and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures. Known for her activism and involvement in student led protests, she felt compelled to travel to the West Bank to stand in solidarity with Palestinian civilians.
The incident has reignited discussions about the Israeli Palestinian conflict, particularly in light of recent Israeli military operations in the West Bank. During a nine day operation in Jenin, at least 36 Palestinians were killed, including 21 from the Jenin governorate. The deaths, including those of children, have sparked international concern and calls for accountability.
Over the past five decades, Israel has established settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, housing more than 700,000 Jewish residents. These settlements are considered illegal under international law, a stance supported by the UN Security Council and numerous countries, although Israel disputes this view. The death of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi adds to the growing calls for a resolution to the ongoing conflict and protection of civilians in the region.
