Biden's 'Accident' Claim about Turkish-American Activist’s Death Dismissed
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The partner of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish-American activist killed by an Israeli sniper in the West Bank, has rejected US President Joe Biden's characterization of her death as an "accident," calling for accountability and an independent investigation.
"She was fatally shot in the head by a bullet that came from an Israeli sniper positioned 200 meters away. This was no accident, and her killer must be held accountable," Hamid Ali said in a statement on Tuesday.
Eygi, 26, a dual Turkish-American national, was killed during a protest against illegal Israeli settlements in the town of Beita. Ali described Eygi as "peacefully standing for justice as an international observer and witness to Palestinian suffering."
His comments followed Biden's statement to reporters: "Apparently it was an accident -- it ricocheted off the ground, and she got hit by accident. I'm working that out now."
The Israeli army, in a statement on Tuesday, said it was “highly likely” that Eygi was “indirectly and unintentionally” hit by fire from its forces.
Ali criticized the lack of response from the White House, adding: "For four days, we have waited for President Biden to pick up the phone and do the right thing: to call us, offer his condolences, and let us know that he is ordering an independent investigation of the killing of Aysenur."
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby confirmed on Monday that Biden had not spoken with Eygi's family to offer his condolences.
In a separate statement, Eygi's family expressed outrage over suggestions that her death was unintentional and reiterated their call for an independent investigation.
"The Israeli military's preliminary inquiry into Aysenur's killing is wholly inadequate; we are deeply offended by the suggestion that her killing by a trained sniper was in any way unintentional," the family said.
They further urged US leaders, including Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to demand an independent investigation into the incident.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had earlier condemned Eygi’s killing, calling it "unprovoked and unjustified" and "unacceptable."
Eygi, born in Antalya, Turkey, in 1998, moved to the US as an infant and graduated in June from the University of Washington. She had recently traveled to the West Bank to volunteer with the International Solidarity Movement, aiming to support Palestinian farmers.