Family of activist killed by Israel calls on US to order ‘independent’ investigation

Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s family stresses that, “given the circumstances,” an investigation by Israel “is not appropriate”

September 7 () –

The family of US activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot dead by Israeli forces during a protest against settlements in the West Bank on Friday, has called on Washington to order an “independent investigation” into the incident.

“Aysenur was peacefully defending justice when she was killed after being hit by a bullet that, according to the video, was fired by an Israeli soldier,” the family said, stressing that “given the circumstances of Aysenur’s murder, an Israeli investigation is not appropriate,” according to the NBC television network.

“We call on President (Joe) Biden, Vice President (Kamala) Harris and Secretary of State (Antony) Blinken to order an independent investigation into the murder of an American citizen and ensure that there is full accountability for those responsible,” she said.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre on Friday expressed the US government’s concern over Eygi’s “tragic death” and offered her condolences to his family and friends. She confirmed that Washington has contacted the Israeli government to request more information on the matter and to request the opening of an investigation.

In this vein, White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said on Friday that he was “deeply shocked” by the “tragic death” of Eygi, of Turkish descent, while extending his condolences to his family and loved ones.

“We have contacted the Israeli government to request more information and to ask for an investigation into the incident,” he said, after the Israeli army admitted that it had used live fire to “respond” against a person who had thrown stones and “posed a threat.”

The Israeli army said it was investigating the incident, while the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) said Israeli troops “intentionally shot” Eygi during a protest in Beita, according to a statement posted on its website.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned what he considers a “barbaric intervention” by Israeli forces during a “civil protest.” “We will continue to strive on all platforms to end this Israeli policy of occupation and genocide, which has been going on for almost a year and has killed 41,000 people, including children, young people and the elderly,” he said on his account on the social network X.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has also expressed its condolences to the activist’s family and has directly blamed the government of Benjamin Netanyahu. “Israel is trying to intimidate all those who bring aid to the Palestinians and peacefully fight against genocide,” it said.