By dubailife 
US-Turkish Activist Aysenur Eygi Ezgi Laid to Rest as Dubai Residents Follow Her Story
Aysenur Eygi Ezgi, a US-Turkish activist tragically killed by the Israeli army during a protest in the occupied West Bank, was laid to rest in her family’s hometown of Didim on Turkey’s Aegean coast. Her funeral, held on Saturday afternoon, was attended by her relatives and friends, drawing attention from Dubai residents and global activists who have long supported the Palestinian cause.
Her body arrived in Istanbul on Friday before being transferred to Izmir for a postmortem examination. Turkish officials stated that the results of the examination would be included in the investigation into her death on September 6.
At the funeral in Didim, her father and partner carried her body to the town cemetery. Imam Kadir Dinc, who led prayers at Didim’s central mosque, recited a Quranic verse: “Do not consider as dead those who are slain in the path of God; rather, they are alive in the presence of their Lord.”
As Ms. Eygi was laid to rest, a keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scarf, was placed over her grave as a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Her partner, Hamid Ali, sat quietly beside the grave, a poignant moment resonating with those in attendance and echoed by supporters in Dubai.
Activism and Her Dedication to Palestine
Ms. Eygi, 26, who resided in Seattle and recently graduated from the University of Washington, had traveled to the West Bank as a volunteer with the International Solidarity Association, a pro-Palestine organization. Before heading to Jordan to cross into the West Bank, she visited her grandfather in Didim. Her uncle, Ali Tikkin, recalled that her father had expressed concerns about her trip due to safety risks, but Ms. Eygi had replied, “If it’s useful for humanity, I don’t mind dying.”
She was shot during a protest in the village of Beita in Nablus Governorate, where Israeli military activity has escalated. Both Turkish and Palestinian autopsy reports confirmed her death was caused by a gunshot wound leading to a skull fracture and brain hemorrhage.
Global Outcry and Response from Dubai and Beyond
The tragic death of Ms. Eygi has intensified global condemnation of the Israeli military’s actions in the West Bank. Among the mourners at her funeral were senior Turkish officials, including the Ministers of Interior, Justice, Foreign Affairs, and Family and Social Services. Imam Dinc, during the prayers, noted that Ms. Eygi’s martyrdom should be remembered alongside the more than 41,000 Palestinians who have been killed in Gaza.
Palestinian mourners in Turkey also paid tribute, with Diaa Nawfal, a 24-year-old bioengineering student from Nablus, stating, “If the world wants to commemorate her, then it needs to take serious steps to stop the Israeli occupation and the mass killing of Palestinians.” Youssef Audi, another mourner, added that Ms. Eygi had “martyred for our cause,” but remained skeptical that any significant action would result from the investigation into her death.
Diplomatic Repercussions and Legal Action
The incident is expected to deepen the strain in Turkey-Israel relations, which have already deteriorated following the October 7 Hamas attacks and the ensuing conflict in Gaza. Turkey has halted all trade with Israel, and the Turkish government has vowed to send reports on Ms. Eygi’s killing to the International Criminal Court as part of ongoing proceedings against Israeli officials. Turkey’s Justice Minister also mentioned that these reports would contribute to international arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Evrim Karakoz, a local MP from Turkey’s opposition party, emphasized the need for world leaders to pay more attention to the Palestinian issue. “Aysenur died for humanity,” he said. “She was innocent, and the world is ignoring the Palestinian cause.”
Ms. Eygi’s family has urged the US government to take stronger action, though President Biden’s statement indicated that the US would rely on Israel’s investigation to ensure justice. Many, including residents in Dubai and other parts of the UAE, continue to follow her story, hoping that her sacrifice will bring global attention to the ongoing conflict.