US Under Fire for Silence on Killing of Turkish American Activist by Israeli Soldiers

NEW YORK: The United States government is facing criticism for its muted response to the death of Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was killed by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank. The incident has reignited concerns over Washington’s handling of American nationals killed by Israeli forces, drawing parallels to previous cases involving Rachel Corrie and journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

According to Anadolu Agency, Palestinian Canadian legal expert Diana Buttu, Anadolu New York correspondent Serife Cetin, and Eygi’s friend Amelia Ossorio have voiced concerns over the lack of decisive action by the U.S. and the United Nations in response to the killing. Buttu, who specializes in international law, criticized the U.S. for accepting Israel’s explanations in similar cases and predicted a similar outcome for Eygi’s case, where justice remains elusive and accountability is absent.

Buttu also emphasized the close relationship between the U.S. and Israel, highlighting the financial, diplomatic,
and military support that enables Israel’s actions against Palestinians. She described the Western media’s response to Eygi’s death as inadequate, suggesting that it reflects a disregard for Palestinian lives and those who support them.

Cetin reported that Anadolu attempted to raise Eygi’s killing at the United Nations, but faced initial resistance and received only a generic condemnation. She pointed out the perceived double standards in the U.S. government’s response, contrasting it with the swift reaction to the killing of Israeli American citizen Hersh Goldberg.

Amelia Ossorio, a friend of Eygi from Washington University, shared her memories of the activist, who was committed to supporting Palestinians and was deeply affected by the ongoing conflict. Ossorio drew parallels to Rachel Corrie, another U.S. activist killed by Israeli forces two decades ago, expressing frustration over the lack of accountability and the continuation of such incidents.

Eygi, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Trkiye, was partici
pating in a peaceful protest in the West Bank when she was shot in the head by Israeli soldiers. She succumbed to her injuries on September 6, and her funeral was held in Didim, Trkiye, on September 14. As a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement, Eygi was dedicated to supporting Palestinians through non-violent means, mirroring the activism of Rachel Corrie, who was killed in 2003.