In a tragic and highly charged incident, the family of Aysenur Eygi, a 26-year-old American woman who was shot and killed while protesting in the occupied West Bank, has placed the blame squarely on Israel and is calling for a thorough, independent investigation. They argue that an investigation led by Israel would not be sufficient given the circumstances surrounding her death.
Eygi, who held dual US and Turkish citizenship, was fatally shot in the head by Israeli forces, according to two eyewitnesses who spoke to CNN. The incident occurred near Nablus during a weekly protest against an Israeli settlement close to the Palestinian village of Beita. The Israeli military has acknowledged firing at the protesters, and a spokesperson from the US National Security Council confirmed that the US has reached out to Israeli officials to request an investigation into the tragic event.
However, the family has expressed that this initial response is inadequate. "We appreciate the White House’s condolences, but given the details surrounding Aysenur’s death, an Israeli-led investigation simply won't suffice," the family stated. They have urged President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to initiate an independent probe into the killing of this US citizen and to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable.
Eygi's death has drawn international attention, not just because of her American citizenship but also due to her involvement with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). This group, known for its pro-Palestinian activism, includes other notable figures like Rachel Corrie, an American who was killed in 2003 while trying to prevent an Israeli bulldozer from demolishing Palestinian homes in Gaza.
In response to the shooting, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their troops had "responded with fire towards a main instigator of violent activity," claiming that the individual had been hurling rocks and posed a threat. The IDF is currently "looking into reports" that a foreign national was killed as a result of shots fired in the area. Meanwhile, the ISM contends that none of its members engaged in stone-throwing and that Eygi was positioned over 200 meters away from the soldiers when she was shot. They assert that, given this distance, Eygi posed no threat and was killed "in cold blood."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed condolences and indicated that the US is working to "gather the facts" regarding Eygi’s death. However, he has not proposed any immediate changes in US policy related to the incident. This response echoes previous situations where, despite evidence of Israeli responsibility for American deaths, such as the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, US policies have remained unchanged, with substantial military support to Israel continuing unabated.
National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett remarked that the US is "deeply disturbed" by the killing. He confirmed that the US has reached out to the Israeli government for more information and requested a thorough investigation into the matter. US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew has also verified Eygi’s identity and stated that the embassy is urgently collecting more details about the circumstances of her death.
In Turkey, the Foreign Ministry condemned the killing and held the Israeli government accountable, affirming Eygi's Turkish citizenship as well. Spokesperson Oncu Keceli emphasized that Turkey would persist in pursuing justice for those responsible for her death.
The family’s statement paints a poignant picture of Eygi as a dedicated human rights activist who was deeply involved in campus protests advocating for human dignity and an end to violence against Palestinians. "Like the olive tree she lay beneath, where she took her last breaths, Aysenur was strong, beautiful, and nourishing. Her presence in our lives was taken needlessly, unlawfully, and violently by the Israeli military," the statement read. They also remembered her as a loving daughter, sister, partner, and aunt, describing her as gentle, brave, and a "ray of sunshine."
Protests in Beita, where Eygi was killed, are a common occurrence due to its proximity to the Israeli settler outpost of Evyatar. This settlement, which was previously unauthorized, was only legalized earlier this year, despite international law deeming all Israeli settlements in the occupied territories as illegal.
This incident has sparked widespread calls for accountability and an independent investigation, highlighting the ongoing tensions and complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As Eygi’s family and international observers await further developments, the push for a transparent and impartial investigation remains a central focus in the quest for justice.
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