The family of a Turkish-American woman shot dead during a protest against settlements in the occupied West Bank has called for an independent investigation into her death, accusing the Israeli military of killing her “violently.”
Aisha Nour Ezgi Egi, 26, was “shot in the head” while participating in a demonstration in Beita in the occupied West Bank on Friday. The Israeli army said it “responded with fire towards a main instigator of violence who was throwing stones at troops and posing a threat to them.”
“She was snatched from our lives in a senseless, illegal and violent manner, by the Israeli military,” the victim’s family said in a statement.
“Aisha Noor, an American citizen, was peacefully standing up for justice when she was killed by a bullet that video footage shows was fired by an Israeli military shooter,” she added.
“We call on President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to direct an independent investigation into the unlawful killing of an American citizen and to ensure full accountability for those responsible,” she added.
Palestinian sources confirm the death of an American activist after she was shot in the head by the occupation forces while participating in an anti-settlement march in the vicinity of Jabal Sabih, south of Nablus. Tel Aviv Tribune correspondent Laith Jaar provides us with the details.#Gaza_War #News pic.twitter.com/EKKWfNnXFV
— Tel Aviv Tribune Channel (@AJArabic) September 6, 2024
Rejected allegations
Iggy was a member of the pro-Palestinian International Solidarity Movement, which said she was in Beita on Friday as part of a weekly demonstration against settlements.
The movement on Saturday rejected allegations that activists had thrown stones at soldiers, describing them as “false.”
“Aisha Nour was more than 200 metres away from where the Israeli soldiers were, and there was no confrontation in the minutes before she was killed,” the organisation added in a statement.
The victim’s family also called for an independent investigation, saying, “Given the circumstances of Aisha Nour’s killing, it is inappropriate for an Israeli investigation to be conducted.”
In recent years, pro-Palestinian demonstrators have staged weekly protests against the settlement of Eviatar, which overlooks the town of Beita and is supported by far-right Israeli ministers.
The United Nations confirmed that Igi was shot in the head during Friday’s demonstration, and Rafidia Hospital confirmed that she died from her injuries.
Turkey said she was killed by “Israeli occupation soldiers” and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced the “brutal” act, while Washington called her death “tragic” and called on Israel to investigate.