Qatar tackles Israel over killing of Turkish-American activist in West Bank

The Qatari government has joined growing voices against Israeli violence as it condemned the assassination of Aysinur Ezgi Ece, a Turkish-American citizen, by Israeli occupation forces during a peaceful protest against illegal settlements in Beita, West Bank.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the killing, calling it a pattern of violent crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian cause and human rights.

The ministry criticised the international community’s silence on such violations, warning that it emboldens Israel to continue its atrocities.

The statement emphasised that the voices of activists worldwide will not be silenced and will continue to support the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, including their right to an independent state with full sovereignty.

Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a dual citizen of Türkiye and the US, was fatally shot in the head by Israeli soldiers during a protest in Beita, south of Nablus.

Eygi, 26, was a volunteer with the Fazaa campaign, which supports Palestinian farmers against Israeli settler violence.

Eyewitnesses report that Israeli soldiers opened fire on a group of Palestinians demonstrating against illegal settlements on Mount Sbeih. The Palestinian news agency Wafa confirmed Eygi’s death and her involvement with the Fazaa campaign.

Weekly protests in Beita demand the removal of the illegal Israeli settlement of Avitar, established on Mount Sbeih.

Tensions in the occupied West Bank have escalated amid Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, which has killed nearly 40,900 Palestinians since October 7. At least 691 people have been killed and over 5,700 injured by Israeli fire in the West Bank since then.