Funeral Held for Turkish American Activist Aisha AI

A funeral was held today in Turkey for Aisha Esgi AI, a 26-year-old Turkish American woman who was tragically killed last week in the West Bank. Hundreds of mourners, including dignitaries like the vice president and foreign minister, attended the ceremony in the town of Duzce, near the Black Sea. AI was shot in the head by Israeli soldiers during a protest against a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank on September 6th. The incident has spurred a significant political response; the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted an internal investigation, suggesting that the shooting was likely unintended amid chaotic protests. However, witnesses claim AI was shot after the unrest had subsided, raising questions about the IDF’s actions. Given her dual citizenship, both Turkey and the U.S. are involved in the investigation, with Turkey planning to pursue international arrest warrants against those responsible for her death. President Joe Biden initially described the incident as an accident, which drew backlash from AI's family. They argued that the U.S. needs to hold Israel accountable for its actions and ensure justice. Amidst this tragic loss, prominent political figures are calling for changes in Israeli military conduct in the West Bank.