Washington, D.C. | www.mpac.org | September 6, 2024 — The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) calls on the Biden Administration to immediately conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the murder of 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, an American-Turkish citizen, by Israeli Defense Forces in the occupied West Bank. Eygi was fatally shot in the forehead while attending a peaceful protest against illegal Israeli settlements in Beita, south of Nablus, on September 6, 2024. Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, directly targeting demonstrators, which resulted in Eygi’s death. This tragic incident, much like the killing of American journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh by the IDF in 2022, reflects an ongoing pattern of violence against American citizens in the West Bank with the IDF continuing to evade accountability and justice for these crimes.
This killing of an American citizen while peacefully protesting constitutes not only a human rights violation but also a direct violation of the U.S. Executive Order 14014 issued by the Biden Administration on February 1, 2024. The executive order, which addresses actions undermining peace and stability in the West Bank, explicitly states that any action "planning, ordering, otherwise directing, or participating in any of the following actions affecting the West Bank: (1) an act of violence or threat of violence targeting civilians," is a violation of U.S. policy. Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s murder fits precisely within this clause, as she was a civilian engaging in nonviolent protest when she was targeted by Israeli Defense Forces.
The Israeli military’s continued use of lethal force against civilians protesting the expansion of illegal settlements not only violates international law but directly contradicts the foreign policy objectives of the United States, which seek to ensure security, peace, and equal rights for both Palestinians and Israelis. MPAC urges the Biden Administration to uphold the principles outlined in the Executive Order and hold those responsible for Eygi’s murder accountable.
Moreover, we demand that the United Nations launch an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi. It is imperative that justice is served, and that human rights violations are neither overlooked nor tolerated.
The Muslim Public Affairs Council extends its deepest condolences to the family and community of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting American citizens and ensuring that the United States government upholds its responsibilities in promoting justice and human security both at home and abroad. The time for accountability is now.
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