US Congressman Garcia demands probe into Israeli killing of Turkish-American activist
U.S. Congressman Jesus Garcia on Monday condemned the Israeli killing of a Turkish-American activist in the occupied West Bank, calling for an independent investigation into the incident.
“I strongly condemn the killing of Aysenur (Ezgi) Eygi, an American citizen protesting illegal Israeli occupation in the West Bank, and support her family’s call for an independent investigation into her death,” Garcia wrote on social media platform X.
Eygi, 26, a dual U.S. and Turkish national, was fatally shot by Israeli forces last Friday during a protest against Israeli settlements in the town of Beita, near Nablus. According to witnesses, Israeli soldiers opened fire on demonstrators.
Although Eygi was standing away from the main protest, she was struck in the head. Despite being transported to a nearby hospital, medical personnel were unable to save her.
Born in Antalya, Türkiye, in 1998, Eygi graduated from the University of Washington in June with degrees in psychology and Middle Eastern languages and cultures.
She had arrived in the West Bank just days before her death to volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement, a group that supports Palestinian farmers.
Eygi’s family has called on the Biden administration to launch an independent investigation into her killing.