Israel ‘Intentionally’ Targeted Turkish-American Activist, International Solidarity Movement Claims

The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) has accused Israeli forces of deliberately targeting Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish-American activist, during a peaceful protest in Beita, located in the Nablus district of the occupied West Bank. Eygi, 26, was fatally shot in the head by a sniper while participating in a demonstration against illegal Israeli settlements on September 6, 2024.

This incident marks her as the 18th protester killed in Beita since 2020.

Eygi was reportedly standing among other human rights observers when the Israeli army opened fire. Eyewitness accounts, including that of ISM volunteer Mariam Dag, suggest that Eygi was “deliberately targeted” by the sniper.

The ISM condemned the killing, labeling it as part of a broader pattern of violence against international activists and Palestinian civilians. Eygi’s death has intensified calls for accountability regarding the actions of Israeli forces in the region.

Eygi was shot during a weekly protest that typically follows Friday prayers, aimed at opposing the illegal settlement of Evyatar, which is situated atop Mount Sbeih. The community in Beita has been actively protesting against these settlements, which they claim violate their land rights.

The Israeli military stated that its forces responded to what they described as violent actions from protesters, claiming they were targeting a “main instigator” who was allegedly throwing stones. They have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Eygi’s death. However, ISM representatives and other activists have asserted that the use of live ammunition against peaceful protesters is part of a broader strategy of repression.

Eygi was taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, where efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful. Medical personnel reported severe injuries, including extensive damage to her head.

The U.S. State Department has expressed deep concern over the incident, with officials stating they are urgently gathering information. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the shooting, asserting that it reflects Israel’s attempts to intimidate those who peacefully oppose its policies.

Eygi’s death occurs amid rising tensions and violence in the West Bank, particularly since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. Reports indicate that since then, Israeli military operations and settler violence have escalated, resulting in numerous Palestinian casualties. The ISM has highlighted that international activists have faced increasing violence from Israeli forces, calling for accountability and justice in light of these ongoing incidents.

Eygi’s activism with the ISM involved efforts to protect Palestinian farmers from Israeli military actions, and her death has sparked renewed discussions about the safety of activists working in the region.