The family of a Turkish-American woman shot dead during a protest against Israeli settlements in the West Bank has demanded an independent investigation into her death, accusing the Israeli military of killing her “violently.”
Aisha Nour Ezgi Egi, 26, was shot in the head while participating in a demonstration in Beita in the occupied West Bank on Friday. She is a volunteer peace activist with the anti-occupation International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
“She was taken from our lives in a senseless, unlawful and violent manner by the Israeli military,” the victim’s family said in a statement. “Aisha Noor, an American citizen, was peacefully standing up for justice when she was killed by a bullet that video footage shows was fired by an Israeli military shooter.”
The victim’s family called for an independent investigation. “Given the circumstances of Aisha Noor’s death, it is inappropriate for an Israeli investigation to take place,” the family said in a statement. “We call on President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary of State Blinken to direct an independent investigation into the unlawful killing of an American citizen and to ensure that those responsible are fully held accountable.”
The White House said earlier on Saturday it was “deeply disturbed” by the killing of the American activist, according to Palestinian officials and witnesses. The White House also called on Israel to investigate her killing, which has drawn strong reactions across the international community.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “The most important thing to do is gather the facts,” he added, noting that actions and conclusions “will be based on the facts.”
The International Solidarity Movement, which organises foreign volunteers in the Palestinian territories, said Israeli forces “deliberately shot and killed” an international human rights activist during the weekly protest on Friday morning. It did not name the volunteer, the Guardian reported.
Turkey and Qatar have condemned the killing of a Turkish-American activist who was taking part in a “peaceful demonstration against settlements” in the town of Beita, south of Nablus in the West Bank. The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that an American citizen was killed by Israeli forces while taking part in an anti-settlement march in the northern West Bank. Turkey said she was killed by “Israeli occupation soldiers,” while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced the “brutal” act.
The agency’s report, citing medical sources, said the woman died after being taken to the hospital due to her critical head injury.
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2024-09-09 00:32:15