Turkish-American activist assassinated by Israel

An event of great significance unfolded in Istanbul, Turkey, where a large turnout gathered to bid farewell to a Turkish-American activist, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who tragically lost her life due to Israeli gunfire in the West Bank on Sept. 6. The incident occurred during a demonstration against the establishment of Israeli settlements in the region, as reported by an Israeli observer present at the event. Eygi, a 26-year-old resident of Seattle, was fatally shot by an Israeli soldier, leading to widespread outrage and calls for accountability.

The Final Resting Place and Public Mourning

Eygi's remains were brought to her hometown in Turkey, where a somber funeral took place. Her body was laid to rest on a Saturday, drawing thousands of mourners who lined the streets to pay their respects. The coastal town of Didim, located on the Aegean Sea, became a focal point for grief and solidarity as the community mourned the loss of the young activist. The coffin, draped in a Turkish flag taken from her family home, served as a poignant symbol of national unity.

The funeral proceedings were marked by an outpouring of grief and anger over Eygi's untimely death. The sight of her portrait, adorned in her graduation gown, propped against the coffin, evoked a sense of loss and unfulfilled potential among those who attended. The mourning rituals extended beyond the burial site, as her body was transported from a hospital to her family home and Didim's Central Mosque, further emphasizing the profound impact of her passing on the community.

Government Response and Calls for Accountability

The Turkish government swiftly condemned the killing and vowed to conduct its own investigation into the circumstances surrounding Eygi's death. Numan Kurtulmus, the speaker of Turkey’s parliament, addressed the mourners at the funeral, expressing the nation's determination to seek justice. "We are not going to leave our daughter's blood on the ground, and we demand responsibility and accountability for this murder," Kurtulmus stated, emphasizing the government's commitment to pursuing the matter.

The circumstances of Eygi's death were further scrutinized when an autopsy was conducted at the Izmir Forensic Medicine Institute, revealing that she had been struck by a projectile in the back of the head below her left ear. These findings raised additional questions about the events leading to her fatal injury, intensifying demands for accountability and transparency.