Killing of activists without remorse by Israel an 'atrocious reality,' says ex-British MP

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The killing of a Turkish-American activist in the West Bank by Israel during a peaceful protest is a "terrible atrocity" that is continuing to go on, according to a former British MP, who said Israel is "out of control."

Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was shot dead by Israeli forces on Friday while participating in a demonstration against illegal Israeli settlements in the town of Beita.

An autopsy report of Eygi has confirmed she was killed by an Israeli sniper’s bullet to the head, Nablus governor Ghassan Daghlas said on Saturday.

Eygi, 26, had been actively involved in solidarity movements supporting Palestinian rights. Her death has sparked outrage and calls for accountability from both local and international communities.

"The insurgence into the West Bank, the total annihilation of the Palestinian people, the killing of activists and journalists without remorse from Israel, it's an atrocious reality that we're all facing," Claudia Webbe, a former Labour Party lawmaker, told Anadolu.

"We're seeing daylight murder, and it's absolutely appalling," said Webbe, reiterating her call for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians since last October. She also called for a stop on arming Israel, saying it is "absolutely vital."

The UK has suspended 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel after a review, warning there is a "clear risk" the equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international law.

The 30 licenses cover components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones and items that facilitate ground targeting, excluding parts made in the UK for the F-35 fighter jet program.

Talking of the casualties, she said: "We know that many more have been maimed and injured, two thirds of them women and children. This has to stop."

"We march to ensure that we show our solidarity. We can never stop marching until Palestine is free, until there is a Palestine state and the recognition of Palestine," she said ahead of Saturday's national solidarity march for Palestinians in London.

Webbe said stopping arms shipments to Israel is not enough and people need "boycotts, divestment and sanctions now."

"We need governments to listen. We can't continue with this complicity whilst innocent civilians continue to die, continue to be injured and continue to lose loved ones," she added.

"The children of Gaza deserve better. Palestine deserves a future, and we all have to keep marching now."

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Besides the casualties, the military campaign has turned much of the enclave of 2.3 million people into ruins, leaving most civilians homeless and at risk of famine.