World
Tragic Death of Turkish American Activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in West Bank
Explore the tragic death of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a dedicated Turkish American activist, in the West Bank. Discover the circumstances surrounding her passing and the impact of her work on the community and beyond.
Tragic Farewell for Aysenur Ezgi Eygi
On a somber Saturday, large Turkish flags adorned the trees surrounding the open grave of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish American activist who tragically lost her life at the hands of Israeli forces in the West Bank. Her final resting place was near Turkey’s picturesque Aegean coast, where friends and family gathered to honor her memory.
In a heart-wrenching moment, her father, Mehmet Suat Eygi, expressed his deep sorrow and frustration at the perceived lack of action from the United States in response to his daughter’s death. Having lived in the U.S. for 25 years and obtained citizenship, he lamented, “I have been living in the U.S. for 25 years, and I know how seriously the U.S. looks out for the safety of its citizens abroad,” emphasizing his dismay. He continued, “I know that when something happens, the U.S. will attack like the eagle on its seal. But when Israel is in question, it transforms into a dove.”
At just 26 years old, Ms. Eygi was shot in the head during a protest on September 6, which was organized by Palestinian and international activists against an Israeli settler outpost near the West Bank village of Beita. The Israeli military has stated that it is “highly likely” she was struck “indirectly and unintentionally,” and that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Witnesses who were present during the protest reported that Ms. Eygi was positioned more than 200 yards away and downhill from the Israeli soldiers at the time of the shooting. They noted that the protest, which had seen some demonstrators throwing stones earlier, had largely calmed by the time she was fatally shot.
Her untimely death occurred amid a backdrop of escalating international criticism regarding Israel’s conduct in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to the Gazan health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, the death toll has surpassed 41,000, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict.