Screening of a documentary about assassinated activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi in Washington, D.C.
In a poignant event held in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening, the documentary 'Under an Olive Tree' was screened. The film, produced by TRT World with executive producer Zümrüt Sönmez, offers a faithful portrait of the life and principles of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old Turkish-American activist who was fatally shot by an Israeli soldier on Sept. 6, 2024 during a protest in the occupied West Bank.
The screening was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Brad Parker, associate director of policy at the Center for Constitutional Rights and a member of the legal team supporting the Eygi family's quest for justice. The panel featured Eygi's sister Özden Bennett, her husband Hamid Ali, the documentary team, Palestinian activists, and families of Americans killed by Israeli forces and settlers.
Gulay Kaplan, the interview producer of the documentary, stated that the film aims to preserve Eygi's story in history. Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, spoke at the panel and expressed that the government has been complicit in the cover-up of crimes. Khalil, who was detained by U.S. immigration authorities for his pro-Palestinian campus activism and was held in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Louisiana for months before being released on bail in June, shared his experiences.
Özden Bennett stated that the documentary provides a faithful portrait of Eygi's life and principles. Hamid Ali reflected on Eygi's spirit and sense of justice. The panel also included Zeyad Kadur, the uncle of Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian-American currently detained in Israel, and Kamel Musallet, the father of Sayfullah 'Saif' Musallet, who was killed by Israeli settlers in July. Hafez Ajaq, the father of Tawfiq Ajaq, who was killed by Israeli soldiers in January 2024 in the West Bank, was also invited to the panel by Özden Bennett.
Reflecting on the past year, Bennett stated that the family has had to navigate grief while fighting for justice. Despite meetings with Congress members, Bennett has expressed frustration with the lack of progress. Bennett stated that there have been no replies to their inquiries or requests for an open investigation from the State Department and the Department of Justice.
The event was a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability in the face of violence and injustice. The documentary 'Under an Olive Tree' serves as a testament to the life and principles of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi and the ongoing fight for justice and peace in the Middle East.
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