In this heartfelt discussion, Mariam Dag, a volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement, and Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, a friend of the late Ayşenur Eygi, share their experiences surrounding the tragic death of this American-Turkish peace activist. They delve into the chaos of protests, the emotional toll of losing a dear friend, and the need for accountability from both Israeli and U.S. authorities. The conversation also underscores the importance of remembering those lost and continuing the fight for justice amidst ongoing violence.
Ayşenur Eygi's killing underscores the perilous conditions for activists in the West Bank and raises urgent accountability issues for Israeli military actions.
The lack of immediate and thorough investigations by the U.S. government reflects a troubling pattern of impunity for Israeli forces following similar incidents.
Deep dives
Tragic Fatality of Eishinor Isgi
Eishinor Isgi, a 26-year-old American peace activist, was killed by Israeli sniper fire while participating in a peaceful protest against settlement expansion in the West Bank. Her death occurred amidst escalating tensions, with confrontations erupting between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli forces, leading to chaotic scenes filled with tear gas and live ammunition. Witnesses state that Eishinor posed no threat when she was shot, contradicting claims from the Israeli military that suggested it was an accident, with a bullet ricocheting and injuring her. This incident highlights the dangerous environment for activists in the region and raises significant questions about accountability and the use of force by the Israeli military during protests.
Call for Independent Investigation
Following Eishinor's death, her family, along with advocates, are demanding a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her killing. The U.S. government has faced criticism for its response to the tragedy, as advocates point out the lack of immediate action or accountability for the Israeli military, which has a history of similar incidents. Notably, Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the unprovoked nature of the shooting but stopped short of calling for an independent inquiry, leaning instead on responses from the Israeli government. This situation has amplified calls for an investigation, especially given the pattern of American activists being killed without consequence in the region.
Historical Context and Continuing Struggles
Eishinor Isgi is not alone; many American activists have been killed by Israeli forces over the past two decades without accountability or justice. Familial connections between past victims, such as Rachel Corey, are evident, as both families seek similar demands for investigations into their respective loved ones' deaths. Cindy and Craig Corey, Rachel's parents, share their ongoing struggle for justice, highlighting the repeated claims from Israeli officials that past killings were accidental, a narrative they and many others contest. This persistent cycle of violence and lack of transparency underscores a broader issue regarding the treatment of activists and the necessity for systemic change in how Israeli forces engage with demonstrators.
Ayşenur Eygi, an American-Turkish peace activist in the occupied West Bank, was shot in the head and killed by Israeli forces earlier this month. Her name joins the list of American activists and journalists killed by Israeli forces over the past two decades. What does her death mean for the fight for accountability from Israel and from the US?
In this episode:
Mariam Dag, Volunteer, International Solidarity Movement
Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh (@ameer) Friend of Ayşenur Eygi
Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker), Political Correspondent and Columnist, Zeteo News
Cindy Corrie (@rcfoundation), Mother of Rachel Corrie
Craig Corrie (@rcfoundation), Father of Rachel Corrie
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Shraddha Joshi with Duha Mosaad, Ashish Malhotra and our host, Natasha Del Toro.
The Take production team is Amy Walters, Ashish Malhotra, Catherine Nouhan, Chloe K. Li, Duha Mosaad, Hagir Saleh, Hisham Abu Salah, Khaled Soltan, Manahil Naveed, Marcos Bartolomé, Phillip Lanos, Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, Shraddha Joshi, and Tamara Khandaker.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers.
Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.
