When Özden Bennett first heard that her younger sister had been killed, she couldn’t believe it. Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi had traveled to the occupied West Bank just three days earlier to volunteer with Palestinian communities experiencing violence from Israeli soldiers and settlers.
But shock and grief soon turned to dread. Bennett said this week, ahead of the anniversary of Eygi’s death, that she feared “nothing would come of it, that she would have just died under that olive tree and that was it.”
Eygi, a 26-year-old American Turkish woman, was shot in the head by an Israeli sniper on September 6, 2024, while attending a protest against settlement expansion near Nablus in the occupied West Bank.
Her family worried that getting justice would be difficult. A year later, no one has been held responsible. The Israeli military concluded within days that it was “highly likely” Eygi had been hit “indirectly and unintentionally by IDF fire which was not aimed at her,” but at others who were allegedly throwing rocks. (A Washington Post investigation found that Eygi was shot half an hour after any clashes between protesters and soldiers, and that she was standing 200 yards away from them.)
U.S. officials called the killing “unprovoked and unjustified” but, despite repeated requests from the family, never opened their own investigation. (The Turkish government did, concluding that Eygi had been “deliberately targeted,” and submitted evidence to the United Nations Security Council, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court.)
Eygi was one of several U.S. citizens killed by Israeli forces in occupied Palestinian territory in recent years, including journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot by a sniper while reporting on military raids in Jenin in 2022. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have also killed at least four Palestinian Americans in the West Bank.
“I’m heartbroken that so many families have experienced the same thing,” Bennett said. “It’s infuriating because if something was done, and if Israel was held accountable … all those that have come after, they should still be here.”
The lack of accountability isn’t due to a lack of effort. When Eygi’s family met with then-U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last December, they asked him, “What can you do?” recalled Hamid Ali, Eygi’s husband.
He said the response amounted to “a lot of shoulder shrugging.”
The State Department told the family that launching an investigation would be up to the Justice Department, which wrote in a letter that they would “carefully review” the request. They never followed up.
A State Department spokesperson said in a statement that they have “no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens,” but referred The Guardian to the Israeli government for updates. The Justice Department and IDF did not respond to requests for comment.
“There are no red lines when it comes to Israel,” Bennett said, adding that the family remains “determined to show up, year after year, making the same demand for an independent investigation — because that’s the bare minimum and the right thing to do.” Later this month, they will be in Washington with the families of other U.S. citizens killed by Israeli forces and settlers, collectively urging a stronger response from the U.S. government.
For Ali, who was married to Eygi for three years before her death, the experience of seeking justice has been deeply disillusioning. In more than a dozen meetings with the State Department and members of Congress, he has encountered little meaningful action.In Congress, he said, Eygi’s family referenced former Attorney General Merrick Garland’s statement following the killing of several U.S. citizens during the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023. Garland had promised that the U.S. government would investigate “each and every one of the brutal murders of Americans.” Hamid criticized what he called clear double standards, saying, “We’re just holding them to their own words.”
Ali spoke from Eygi’s hometown in Turkey, where she was buried near her grandmother and where a memorial ceremony was held on Saturday. He shared that Eygi loved Turkey and had insisted before their wedding that they visit at least once a year.
Bennett noted that, growing up in a Turkish household, Eygi and her sister were more aware of global news than their peers in the U.S. They were always conscious of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and the recurring violence in Gaza. But after October 7, advocating for Palestinian liberation became Eygi’s “whole world,” Bennett added.
At the University of Washington, Eygi joined the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement and participated in student encampments. After graduating with a psychology degree, she hesitated about traveling to Palestine due to safety concerns but ultimately decided she needed to see the occupation firsthand. She went to the West Bank as a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement.
Ali said Eygi had a gift for helping others “not to feel so hopeless.” He explained, “I’m very cynical, and she kept reminding me that these power systems are designed to make you feel like you’re just one person against a giant. But together, we can take action and actually make a difference.”
“She had many sides to her,” Bennett reflected. “The part that gets attention is her activism and her passion for human rights, especially Palestinian rights. But she was also a playful 26-year-old. She was my little sister.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the case of Ayenur Ezgi Eygi presented in a clear and natural tone
General Beginner Questions
1 Who was Ayenur Ezgi Eygi
Ayenur Ezgi Eygi was a Turkish university student who was tragically killed in the United States one year ago Her family and community are seeking justice for her death
2 What exactly happened to her
The specific details of her death are part of the ongoing call for an investigation Her family believes there are unanswered questions surrounding the circumstances which is why they are demanding a thorough and transparent official inquiry
3 Why is there a call for a US investigation
She was killed on US soil Therefore her family and supporters are calling on US federal andor local law enforcement agencies to conduct a complete and public investigation to determine the full facts of the case and ensure accountability
4 Has there been any investigation at all
This is a key part of the familys concern They state that a full transparent investigation led by US authorities has not yet been completed leaving critical questions unanswered
Advanced Detailed Questions
5 Which specific US authorities are being asked to investigate
This would typically involve the local police department where the incident occurred possibly the states Bureau of Investigation and could also involve federal agencies like the FBI especially if there are questions about civil rights or international aspects
6 What are the common challenges in cases like this
Challenges can include jurisdictional issues between local state and federal authorities lack of resources the case not receiving enough public or political attention to prioritize it and potential diplomatic complexities because the victim was a foreign national
7 How can the public help the family get answers
The public can help by raising awareness on social media using relevant hashtags signing and sharing petitions directed at US officials contacting their local representatives or members of Congress to ask for their support and supporting reputable organizations that are advocating for the family
8 What role does the Turkish government or embassy play in this
The Turkish Embassys consular services should be providing support to the family helping them navigate the US legal system and formally urging US authorities at a diplomatic level to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation
