University of Washington grad killed by Israeli troops

People across the world are mourning the loss of 26-year-old Aysenur Eygi, who was killed in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers.

Eygi was a Seattle native who had recently graduated from the University of Washington.

“She was so interested in fighting for justice. She was very interested in what’s going on in Palestine,” said Saif Sharabati, a friend of Eygi’s.

Sharabati told KIRO 7 he had spoken to Eygi on the phone just hours before she was murdered.

“Aysha, stay safe and be careful. That was the last thing ,” he said.

Sharabati never imagined their two-hour phone call on Thursday night would be their last.

“Next thing in the morning, seeing all her pictures on the news from my friends. It was like, how do they even know her, like what what’s going on?”

Eygi had been volunteering with the International Solidarity Movement.

Sharabati says Eygi had been in the West Bank for less than a week.

“She was that person who cares about others. She was not selfish. She wanted to go there so she can see it experience it so she can tell the story,” Sharabati explained.

Sharabati met Eygi a few months ago during pro-Palestine protests at the University of Washington.

He says Eygi decided to continue her fight for justice overseas.

Sharabati grew up in the West Bank and moved back to Seattle three years ago. He says he warned Eygi of the dangers she could face, but it still didn’t stop her from following her heart.

“She was demonstrating against the Palestinian people who were killed there. This is why she went there to support those people and now she’s one of them,” said Sharabati.

Sharabati keeps Eygi close to his heart by wearing a sweatshirt she gave him before she left.

He’s determined to continue her efforts at home.

“She got killed while she was non-violence protesting, defending land, supporting locals. This was her message,” Sharabati said.

©2024 Cox Media Group