Turkish American Activist Fatally Shot in West Bank During Protest, Friends Demand Recognition of Violence

A tragic event occurred on Friday when a 26-year-old Turkish American woman named Aysenur Eyzi Eygi was fatally shot while protesting an Israeli settler outpost in the occupied West Bank. Her friends in the United States believe that she would have wanted the world to be aware that such shootings are unfortunately not uncommon.

Details of the Incident

Aysenur Eygi was in the village of Beita when she was shot in the head. While the exact perpetrator is unclear, witnesses and Palestinian officials claim that the shots that killed her were fired by Israeli soldiers.

The death of Ms. Eygi has contributed to the increasing toll in the West Bank since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited a war in Gaza. According to the United Nations, over 600 people in the West Bank have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers since the onset of the war.

A Life Dedicated to Activism

Ms. Eygi's trip to the West Bank was a continuation of her long-standing commitment to activism, which began nearly a decade ago when she joined rallies against the construction of an oil pipeline through the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in North Dakota during her teenage years. Last spring, she actively organized protests against the Gaza war at the University of Washington, where she had earned a degree in psychology with a minor in Middle Eastern languages and cultures. 

Adevastating Loss to the Community

Her friend and fellow activist, Juliette Majid, described Ms. Eygi as an incredibly passionate and energetic advocate for justice, emphasizing the profound sense of loss felt by those who knew her. The impact of her death resonates deeply within the activist community, leaving a void that will not easily be filled.