Turkey buries US-Turkish activist killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank

Mourners attend the funeral of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi outside the central mosque of Didim, Turkey, September 14, 2024. © Khalil Hamra, AP

More than a week after US-Turkish activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was shot dead by Israeli forces in the West Bank, mourners gathered in her hometown of Didim in western Turkey on Saturday for her funeral service. Eygi's death has sparked international condemnation and calls for an independent inquiry. The Israeli military said the 26-year-old volunteer for the International Solidarity Movement was "unintentionally" hit while its forces were responding to a "violent riot", and that it was looking into the case.

Hundreds of people waving Turkish and Palestinian flags gathered for the funeral on Saturday for Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish-American activist killed in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Turkey's Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus and main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel were among mourners at the ceremony in the Turkish Aegean coastal city of Didim.

A guard of honour carried the 26-year-old's coffin, which was draped with a Turkish flag.

An honour guard carried the coffin of activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was killed in the West Bank. © Ozan Kose, AFP

"The blood of Ayşenur Eygi is as sacred as that of every Palestinian martyred, and we will follow it until the end. As the Turkish nation, we are fully committed. As a state, we are fully committed," Kurtulmus told reporters.

Eygi was killed on Sept. 6 as she took part in a protest against settlement expansion in the West Bank. Israel has acknowledged that its troops shot the activist, but says it was an unintentional act during a demonstration that turned violent.

"She was directly targeted and shot behind her left ear. May God have mercy on her, and may her soul rest in paradise," Kurtulmus said.

The young woman's body arrived in Istanbul Friday from Tel Aviv. © Yasin Akgul, AFP

Ankara said it will request international arrest warrants for those to blame for what it calls an intentional killing.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris said on Wednesday the killing of Eygi was unacceptable and Israel must do more to make sure such an event never happens again.

President Erdogan has vowed to ensure 'that Aysenur Ezgi's death does not go unpunished'. © Ozan Kose, AFP

Kurtulmus said Turkey would "ensure this case is pursued until the end".

"We will hold them accountable in all international courts. Yesterday, we completed all autopsies in accordance with international standards," he said.

Prayers were held for Eygi in various Turkish cities, including Istanbul and Ankara.

(Reuters)