UPDATE 2 - Killing of Turkish-American activist by Israeli forces in West Bank sparks global condemnation

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) – Euro-Med Monitor on Friday expressed its “huge shock” following the killing of a Turkish-American activist by the Israeli army in the northern occupied West Bank.

“We received with a huge shock the news of Israel's killing of US-Turkish activist Aysenur Eygi with a direct shot to the head in the occupied West Bank,” it said on X.

“We know Israel will at best claim 'we'll investigate' & the international community will call on Israel to investigate itself,” the statement said.

Emphasizing the need for accountability, it highlighted: “This would be a tired sham; a stunt that we have seen countless times whenever the IDF is caught red-handed.”

It further added: "Only sanctions can deter such atrocities!"

Ramy Abdu, chairperson of Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, also said on X: “Goodbye Aysenur Ezgil (1998–2024). Killed by an Israeli soldier, shot in the head.”

Meanwhile, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, expressed his condolences and called for international action.

“We are devastated to learn that she has succumbed to her wounds. May she rest in eternal power and peace, and may her killers be held accountable,” he stated.

Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, expressed her shock, saying "While calls on Israel for accountability will inevitably fall on deaf ears, as do calls on Hamas for accountability for its crimes, I don’t know how states who support the right to defend human rights can continue to provide weapons to Israel, when this is what they are used for."

Also, Peace and Justice Project based in Britain said on X that "US citizen Aysenur Ezgi Eygi has been murdered by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank whilst protesting illegal settlements. This is the result of an emboldened Israel, committing acts of ethnic cleansing with the support of UK and US governments."

Ofer Cassif, a Knesset member from the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, known as Hadash, said on X that "Shot by Israeli soldier, using American weapons. Another day of genocidal occupation and apartheid routine. End the occupation! It kills!"

Thomas Portes, a lawmaker from the La France Insoumise, or France Unbowed (LFI) party, lamented that these incidents are "enough", said France must immediately summon the Israeli ambassador to Paris.

A Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was shot dead by Israeli forces on Friday during a protest against illegal Israeli settlements in the town of Beita in the Nablus district of the occupied West Bank.