Memorial service held in front of the White House for Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, who was killed by Israel

A memorial service was held in front of the White House for Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, the Turkish-American activist who was killed by Israeli forces during a peaceful protest in the occupied West Bank on September 6.

The ceremony, held at Lafayette Park in front of the White House, was attended by Eygi’s father Mehmet Suat Eygi, her sister Ozden Bennett, her husband Hamid Ali, and other relatives, as well as U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and numerous others.

In her speech at the ceremony, Palestinian-American Congresswoman Tlaib stated that Israel has yet to take responsibility for Eygi’s killing and sharply criticized the Joe Biden administration for failing to order an independent investigation into the matter.

"WHEN IT COMES TO ISRAEL, BIDEN'S WORDS ARE A LIE"

Tlaib said, "We know that President Biden recently said, 'If you harm an American citizen, we will respond.' However, they have remained inactive on this issue; when it comes to the Israeli government killing Americans, these words are completely a lie."

"We all know that Aysenur’s killing was not an 'unfortunate mistake.' The Israeli military is doing to Palestinians every day what they did to her," Tlaib said, calling for an independent investigation.

Eygi’s husband, Hamid Ali, expressed his disappointment with the Biden administration, stating that although officials have described Eygi’s death as "unjust," they have yet to take any steps to hold Israel accountable.

"Where is the justice, and what exactly is taking so long?" Ali asked, adding, "If the U.S. had held Israel accountable for the killing of other Americans like Rachel Corrie or Shireen Abu Akleh, perhaps Israeli soldiers would not be so bold today in killing Americans and other civilians."

Eygi’s sister, Ozden Bennett, said of Aysenur, "She was only 26 years old. She had just graduated from university and was excited to explore the next chapter of her life, but unfortunately, Aysenur did not get that opportunity."

Bennett stated, "Aysenur died fighting for others, just like so many before her. Justice for Aysenur will mean one step closer to justice for other victims of the Israeli military's violence."

THE KILLING OF ACTIVIST EYGI BY ISRAELI SOLDIERS

Israeli soldiers opened fire on participants during a peaceful demonstration in the occupied West Bank, and Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who had joined the protest to support Palestinians and also held U.S. citizenship, was shot in the head and critically wounded.

Eygi, who was taken to a Palestinian hospital, passed away on September 6. Eygi’s funeral was held on September 14 in the Didim district of Aydin.

Eygi was a human rights activist and a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement, which supports Palestinians against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories through peaceful and civil methods.