Thousands gathered in Didim, Turkey, to lay to rest Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, the Turkish-American activist shot dead during a protest in the West Bank. Her death has ignited calls for justice and international accountability.
Turkey has bid farewell to Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, the 26-year-old Turkish-American activist who was tragically killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. Eygi, who was participating in a protest against illegal Israeli settlements, was fatally shot in the head on September 6. Her death has sparked widespread outrage and prompted renewed demands for an independent investigation into Israel’s military actions in the region.
Eygi’s funeral took place in her family’s hometown of Didim, a coastal town in western Turkey. Thousands of mourners, including her family, friends, and supporters, gathered on Saturday to pay their final respects. Her coffin, draped in the Turkish flag and accompanied by uniformed officers, was carried through the streets to the local mosque, where a large crowd had assembled to honour her memory. During the ceremony, a photograph of Eygi was placed beside her coffin, symbolising the deep sorrow felt by those in attendance.
According to Al Jazeera reporter Resul Serdar, who was present at the funeral, the atmosphere was one of profound disbelief. Eygi’s family had been receiving visitors from Turkey, the United States, and beyond, awaiting the arrival of her body. “You could see the disbelief in their faces that Aysenur is no longer with us,” Serdar remarked. The funeral drew high-ranking Turkish officials, and strict security measures were in place throughout the proceedings.
Rabia Birden, Eygi’s mother, made an emotional plea during the funeral, calling on the Turkish government to seek justice for her daughter’s death. “The only thing I ask of our state is to seek justice for my daughter,” she stated. The demand for accountability has resonated with many, including Numan Kurtulmus, Turkey’s Parliament Speaker, who attended the funeral. Kurtulmus vowed that Eygi’s death would not be in vain and promised to hold those responsible accountable in international courts.
The Turkish government has launched an official investigation into Eygi’s killing and has urged the United Nations to conduct an independent inquiry. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has also committed to ensuring that Eygi’s death will not go unpunished, further heightening pressure on the international community to act.
Eygi’s death has not only mobilised Turkey but has also drawn a strong reaction from the international community. US President Joe Biden has called on Israel to provide “full accountability” for the incident. Israel, however, has responded with claims that the shooting was unintentional, stating that Eygi was likely hit during what they described as a “violent riot” in Beita, near Nablus. Eyewitness accounts and growing evidence, however, paint a different picture.
An Italian activist who was present at the scene and rode with Eygi in the ambulance to Nablus shared a harrowing account, stating that there was no violent activity near them at the time of the shooting. “We were clearly visible to the army, there was nothing happening next to us … it was a shoot to kill,” the activist said. This testimony has further fueled accusations that Israeli forces deliberately targeted Eygi, despite claims to the contrary.
Eygi was a member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), an organisation dedicated to protesting against Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. She had arrived in the West Bank just days before her death, intending to participate in peaceful demonstrations. The United Nations confirmed that Eygi was part of a peaceful anti-settlement protest when she was shot, underscoring the non-violent nature of the event.
Her family has since called on the US to launch its own investigation into her killing, expressing doubt over the adequacy of an Israeli-led probe. Eygi’s death has once again spotlighted the dangers faced by activists in the West Bank and the ongoing human rights concerns in the region.
Eygi’s burial in Didim marks the end of a tragic chapter for her family and supporters, but her death has only intensified calls for justice and accountability. As Turkey and the world mourn the loss of a passionate activist, the demand for a thorough investigation into her killing grows louder.
The outpouring of grief and solidarity from across the globe stands as a testament to Eygi’s commitment to the cause of peace and justice. Her death is a stark reminder of the risks that activists face in conflict zones, and her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire those who fight for human rights.
