pro-Palestinian demonstrators – Islamic Research and Information Center (IRIC)

Advocates demand justice after US protester killed in Israeli gunfire

IRIC — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 16:13:33 +0000

In the wake of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s fatal shooting, critics question whether the US will seek justice from Israeli forces.

The fatal shooting of a 26-year-old Turkish American protester in the occupied West Bank has sparked fresh calls for the United States to demand accountability from Israel’s armed forces.

But advocates say justice for US citizens killed by Israeli soldiers has long proven elusive, with many accusing the administration of President Joe Biden of applying a double standard to Israel and its military.

Friday’s shooting claimed the life of 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a dual US and Turkish citizen who was taking part in a demonstration against an illegal Israeli settlement on Mount Sbeih in Beita, a town south of Nablus.

During the protest, witnesses said an Israeli soldier shot Ezgi Eygi in the head, and she collapsed in an olive grove. She later died of her wounds at Rafidia Hospital in Nablus.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather at Westlake Park and marched on streets to protest against Israel, in Seattle, Washington, United States, Sept. 7, 2024.

Palestinian American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib was among the first US officials to respond to the killing, and she called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to “do something to save lives”.

Blinken himself was asked about the killing at a news briefing later in the day, where a journalist pressed him on the military aid the US continues to provide to Israel.

“I just want to extend my deepest condolences, condolences of the United States government, to the family of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi,” Blinken responded. “We deplore this tragic loss.”

He said the Biden administration would “gather the facts” and “act on it” as necessary.

“I have no higher priority than the safety and protection of American citizens, wherever they are,” Blinken added, echoing a similar statement made by US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew.

Source: Al Jazeera

Pro-Palestinian protesters demand immediate end to Gaza hostilities

IRIC — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 12:37:09 +0000

As Israel’s war on Gaza extends into its 92^nd day, pro-Palestinian demonstrators in the UK have intensified their calls for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the blockaded strip.

The widespread demonstrations are aimed at urging a cease-fire in Gaza, with participants converging in various cities, including Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton, Canterbury, Oxford, and Hastings.

Protesters chanted anti-Israel slogans and carried Palestinian flags and signs, with some reading “Stop bombing Gaza,” “You should be ashamed,” “From river to sea Palestine will be free,” “Freedom for Palestine,” “End Genocide,” and “Cease-fire now.”

“With Israel’s catastrophic onslaught ongoing, we must continue to take action to demand a cease-fire now, and an end to British complicity in Israel’s apartheid rule over the Palestinian people,” the Palestine Solidarity Campaign said in a statement.

Addressing the protesters in Camden, Sabby Sagall, the president of the Camden Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said Israel has intensified its attacks on Gaza. Pointing out Israel’s history of ethnic cleansing since 1947, Sagall praised the International Criminal Court’s application against Israel, submitted by South Africa, and described it as the most positive step taken during this process.

Carrying Palestinian flags, protesters held banners with messages such as “Stop killing innocent people,” “Chancellor Scholz, Foreign Minister Baerbock, when will you have enough blood?” “German politicians are silent, deaf, and blind to Palestine,” “End the occupation in Gaza,” and “You cannot build sacred grounds on the mass graves of children.”

Also, a demonstration in solidarity with Palestine was held in Germany’s capital Berlin on Saturday.

Nearly 1,500 protesters gathered at Mehringplatz Square and marched to Potsdamer Platz in the center of Berlin, conveying messages of support to Palestine as well as protesting Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

Source: Anadolu Agency