Official statement or report from the Israeli Defense Forces

26-Year-Old American-Turkish Activist Fatally Shot by Israeli Forces During West Bank Protest on Friday

Sep 9, 2024, 05:28 PM

Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American-Turkish activist and recent University of Washington graduate, was fatally shot by Israeli forces in the West Bank during a protest against illegal Israeli settlements on Friday. Eyewitnesses reported that there were no clashes at the time of the shooting, and she was allegedly targeted and shot in the head by an Israeli sniper. The incident has sparked significant international outcry, with the U.S. government calling for a thorough and transparent investigation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to take all legal steps to ensure accountability, including appealing to the International Court of Justice. The Israeli Defense Forces have stated they are investigating the incident. Eygi's death has led to widespread protests and memorials, including a funeral procession in Nablus, where her body was wrapped in a Palestinian flag and covered with a traditional keffiyeh. In Seattle, about 150 people gathered in Westlake Park to march in her memory. The U.S. State Department has expressed shock and is pressuring Israel to conclude its investigation promptly.