UN condemns murder of Turkish American activist only after repeated questions by reporters

​​​​​​​By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The UN on Tuesday condemned the killing of Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank.

"Well, let's see what the full investigation says. I think we condemned, clearly, the killing of this young woman," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference after he was repeatedly asked about the murder by reporters.

One asked about the Israeli army claiming that Eygi was "indirectly and unintentionally" hit by the Israeli fire. Dujarric said, "People will need to be held accountable."

In response to Anadolu's follow-up question about why Dujarric refrained from condemning the killing last week, Dujarric said: "The reason I didn't answer the question when you asked because I had not yet heard of that particular incident."

He added that the UN now condemns the attack.

Asked about escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, he reemphasized the UN's urging Israeli authorities to adhere to international law.

- Aysenur Ezgi Eygi killed by Israeli soldiers

Eygi, 26, a dual US and Turkish national, was fatally shot last Friday during a protest against illegal Israeli settlements in Beita, a town just outside of Nablus.

Witnesses reported that Israeli soldiers opened fire on demonstrators. Though she was standing away from the main protest area, she was fatally shot in the head. Despite being rushed to a hospital, medical workers were unable to save her.

Eygi, born in Antalya, Türkiye, in 1998, graduated in June from the University of Washington, where she studied psychology and Middle Eastern languages and cultures.

She arrived in the West Bank last Tuesday to volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement as part of an effort to support and safeguard Palestinian farmers.