American Activist Aisha Nour Azghi Killed by Israeli Forces
Aisha Nour Azghi, a 26-year-old American activist of Turkish descent, was tragically killed by the Israeli occupation army in Beita, south of Nablus. She was shot in the head during a peaceful demonstration against settlements that have encroached upon Palestinian lands for approximately four years. Eyewitness accounts describe the incident as a deliberate act, with the army firing live ammunition at close range, only 200 to 250 meters away from the activists and local residents.
Eyewitness Accounts and Reactions
Fayez Abdul Jabbar, an ambulance officer, reported that Aisha was critically injured and despite initial signs of life after receiving first aid, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving at Rafidia Governmental Hospital. Musa Hamayel, an organizer of the event, condemned the army's actions, stating that they intentionally targeted demonstrators, highlighting a recent incident where another American activist was also injured. The heavy military presence and the subsequent use of live ammunition have raised serious concerns about the safety of solidarity activists in the region.
Calls for Accountability
The assassination of Aisha has sparked outrage among Palestinian political factions and activists. Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas directly addressed U.S. President Joe Biden, urging him to take action against the ongoing violence perpetrated by Israeli forces. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, labeled the killing a crime and called for international sanctions against Israel. Aisha, who had only arrived in Palestine three days prior to her death, was part of the International Solidarity Movement, aimed at supporting Palestinians facing occupation and settlement encroachment.
- Aisha Nour Azghi, also known as Isnur Azki on her American passport, was a psychology graduate from the University of Washington and had recently joined the International Solidarity Movement. Her participation in the peaceful march was meant to show solidarity with the residents of Beita, who have been enduring settlement expansion and military repression for years. Activists like Wael Al-Faqih have emphasized the importance of foreign solidarity in documenting the ongoing violence and supporting local communities, especially during the olive-picking season when tensions often escalate.
