On September 10th, 2021, the world was once again shocked by the tragic news of another innocent life lost in the ongoing conflict in the West Bank. Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 35-year-old human rights activist from the United States, was peacefully protesting against an illegal Israeli settlement when she was shot in the head by Israeli soldiers. This senseless act of violence has not only taken away a promising young life but has also raised serious questions about the involvement of the United States in this long-standing issue.
Eygi, a passionate advocate for human rights and social justice, had traveled to the West Bank to join the non-violent protests against the illegal settlement of Har Homa. As she stood alongside the local Palestinian activists, she was met with brutal force from the Israeli soldiers. Despite her non-threatening presence, Eygi was shot in the head, leaving her with critical injuries. She was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, she could not survive the attack.
This is not the first time that an American citizen has been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces. In fact, it has become a disturbing trend in recent years. In 2016, a 17-year-old American, Tariq Abu Khdeir, was beaten and arrested by Israeli police while participating in a protest against the occupation. In 2018, another American, Rachel Corrie, was killed by an Israeli bulldozer while trying to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian home. These are just a few examples of the countless lives lost in this conflict, and yet, the United States has remained largely silent.
The lack of response from the U.S. government to these killings is deeply concerning. As a country that prides itself on being a champion of human rights and democracy, it is unacceptable that the U.S. has turned a blind eye to the atrocities committed by its ally, Israel. The U.S. provides billions of dollars in military aid to Israel every year, and yet, it has failed to use its influence to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
But the question remains, will the U.S. ever respond to the killing of its own citizens in the West Bank? The answer is unclear, but what is clear is that the U.S. has a moral obligation to do so. The lives of American citizens should hold the same value and importance as any other life, and their deaths should not be disregarded or ignored.
It is time for the U.S. to take a stand and demand justice for Aysenur Ezgi Eygi and all the other innocent lives lost in the West Bank. The U.S. must use its power and influence to pressure Israel to end its illegal occupation and settlement activities, and to respect the rights of the Palestinian people. This is not a matter of taking sides, but rather a matter of upholding human rights and international law.
Furthermore, the U.S. must also reevaluate its relationship with Israel and hold it accountable for its actions. The U.S. cannot continue to blindly support and fund a country that blatantly violates human rights and disregards the lives of innocent civilians.
In the aftermath of Eygi’s death, her family and friends have called for justice and urged the U.S. government to take action. They have also expressed their hope that Eygi’s death will not be in vain and will bring attention to the ongoing human rights violations in the West Bank. It is now up to the U.S. to listen to their pleas and take action.
In conclusion, the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi is a tragic reminder of the ongoing conflict in the West Bank and the need for the U.S. to take a more active role in finding a just and peaceful resolution. The U.S. must use its influence to hold Israel accountable for its actions and put an end to the senseless loss of innocent lives. It is time for the U.S. to live up to its values and show the world that it stands for human rights and justice for all.
