Palestine to apply ICC for killing of Turkish American activist

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has announced preparations to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the killing of Turkish American activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi.

Eygi was shot in her head and killed on Sept. 6 by Israel in the occupied West Bank.

The announcement came during a telephone call Abbas made to Eygi's father, Mehmet Suat Eygi, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Abbas extended condolences to the Turkish people for the killing of Eygi, whom he described as the "brave daughter of Palestine and Türkiye who was assassinated at the hands of the Israeli occupation" and an "honest symbol of the solidarity between the brotherly Turkish and Palestinian peoples."

"The Palestinian leadership was engaged with the U.S. and Turkish authorities to ensure conducting a fair investigation into her killing and that work was underway to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the crime of her assassination," he said.

Abbas announced his decision "to bestow upon her the Medal of the Star of Jerusalem in recognition of her dearly sacrifice for the Palestinian people's right to freedom and independence and invited her parents and family to visit Palestine."

The 26-year-old activist traveled to the region to support Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation, according to reports from the International Solidarity Movement — a Palestinian-led group that is helping the Palestinian cause in the conflict with Israel.

Mourners gathered on Sept. 14 for the funeral of the activist as Eygi's body, wrapped in the Turkish flag and carried by uniformed officers, arrived at its final resting place Didim.

A large crowd gathered during the prayers...