Human Lives Human Rights: The world is mourning the tragic loss of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old Turkish-American activist, who was brutally killed by Israeli forces while peacefully protesting in the West Bank on Friday. Eygi, who had traveled to the region to support Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation, was shot and killed by an Israeli sniper while standing away from the main protest area.
Eygi, a recent graduate of the University of Washington, Seattle, was known for her tireless commitment to activism and community service. Her online profiles reflected her passion for making a positive impact, and she had a diverse range of professional experiences, including mentoring students, providing rehabilitative support for children with autism, and advocating for non-violent resistance against Israeli occupation.
Eygi joined the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a Palestinian-led organization that advocates for non-violent resistance against Israeli occupation, as a volunteer observer. She arrived in the town of Beita, near Nablus in the West Bank, on September 3 to participate in peaceful protests.
According to eyewitnesses, Eygi was deliberately targeted by an Israeli sniper standing on a nearby rooftop. Despite being rushed to a Palestinian hospital, medical efforts to save her were unsuccessful.
Eygi’s friends and fellow activists are still reeling from the shocking news of her death. One fellow ISM volunteer described her as “one of the sweetest, gentlest souls I’ve met,” while another friend remembered her as “one of the many martyrs in this struggle.”
The killing of Eygi highlights the escalating violence and human rights abuses committed by Israeli forces against peaceful protesters and human rights activists in the West Bank. The international community must condemn this brutal act of violence and demand accountability from the Israeli government.
As we mourn the loss of Eygi’s life, we also honor her courage and dedication to standing up for justice and human rights. Her memory will continue to inspire us to work towards a more just and peaceful world.
