PA to pursue ICC charges against Israel for death of activist Aysenur Eygi

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced on Saturday that preparations are underway to lodge a formal complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the killing of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.  

The killing of 26-year-old Eygi last week was met with widespread international condemnation, angering Turkey in particular, as the Gaza conflict continues and Israel con.

The announcement was made during a phone call from Abbas to Eygi’s father, Mehmet Suat Eygi, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.  

During the call, Abbas reportedly expressed his condolences to the Turkish people and praised Eygi as a "brave daughter of both Palestine and Turkey," calling her an "honest symbol of solidarity" between the two nations.  

He referred to her death as an assassination by the Israeli occupation. 

Abbas also highlighted that the PA leadership was in communication with both US and Turkish authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into her killing. 

He added that the complaint with the ICC would aime to hold Israel accountable for Eygi’s killing. 

Abbas additionally announced that Eygi would be posthumously awarded the Medal of the Star of Jerusalem, that was "in recognition of her dearly sacrifice for the Palestinian people’s right to freedom and independence."

The presidency also sent an invitation to Eygi’s parents and her extended family to visit the occupied Palestinian territories. 

This comes as Ankara also announced this week that it is investigating the death of the activist and has called on the UN to conduct an independent inquiry into the incident.  

Turkey has also urged the US to launch its own investigation, as Eygi held dual Turkish-American citizenship.  

Fahrettin Altun, Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan's chief press aide, stated that Istanbul had already begun its own inquiry and called for an "international investigation." 

"Since Aysenur was a dual Turkish-American citizen, the US must do the same and pressure the Israeli authorities for answers and full accountability," Altun wrote in a post on Saturday on X, formerly Twitter. 

On September 6, Eygi was fatally shot in the head by Israeli forces last week in the occupied West Bank. 

Eygi had travelled to the occupied West Bank to support Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation, volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a Palestinian-led organisation.  

The UN reported that the late activist was participating in a "peaceful anti-settlement protest" in Beita, a town known for holding weekly demonstrations against Israeli settlements. 

Following her death, her body was transported from Tel Aviv to Baku, Azerbaijan, and then to Istanbul and Izmir in Turkey, where ceremonies were held. 

Turkey is reportedly planning to issue international arrest warrants for those found responsible for Eygi's death, based on the outcomes of its investigation.