Screening of documentary on assassinated activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi held in Washington D.C.
In a poignant gathering in Washington, D.C., the documentary 'Under an Olive Tree' was screened on Wednesday evening. The film, produced by TRT World, offers a moving portrait of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old Turkish-American activist who was fatally shot by an Israeli soldier during a protest in the occupied West Bank on September 6, 2024.
The screening was followed by a panel discussion, featuring Eygi's sister Özden Bennett, her husband Hamid Ali, the documentary team, Palestinian activists, and families of Americans who have also lost loved ones at the hands of Israeli forces or settlers. Among the attendees were Craig and Cindy Corrie, the parents of Rachel Corrie, who was tragically killed in 2003 while trying to prevent an Israeli bulldozer from demolishing Palestinian homes in Gaza.
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, moderated the panel. The discussion was a platform for voices demanding accountability and a U.S.-led investigation into Eygi's killing. However, Washington has thus far deferred to Israel to probe the incident.
Bennett has been actively advocating for justice, meeting with U.S. lawmakers and other families of victims. Yet, progress has been limited. Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist who spoke at the panel, accused the U.S. government of complicity in covering up crimes. Khalil himself was detained in March 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.
Gulay Kaplan, the interview producer of the documentary, stated that the film aims to preserve Eygi's story in history. Kamel Musallet, the father of Sayfullah 'Saif' Musallet, who was killed by Israeli settlers in July, and Hafez Ajaq, the father of Tawfiq Ajaq, who was killed by Israeli soldiers in January 2024 in the West Bank, were also invited to the panel. Zeyad Kadur, the uncle of Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian-American currently detained in Israel, was also present.
Eygi's husband, Hamid Ali, reflected on her spirit and sense of justice. Bennett, Eygi's sister, stated that the documentary provides a faithful portrait of Eygi's life and principles. Letters have been written to the State Department and the Department of Justice, but there have been no replies to their inquiries or requests for an open investigation.
Bennett reflected on the past year, stating that the family has had to navigate grief while fighting for justice. The panel served as a testament to Eygi's enduring influence and the ongoing quest for accountability and justice.
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