Hundreds of mourners gathered in the Turkish town of Didim on Saturday to bid farewell to Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish-American activist who was tragically killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank. The atmosphere was deeply Turkish and heavily pro-Palestinian, with Turkish flags waving and chants of "God is great" echoing through the cemetery.

Despite having moved to the United States as a young child and spending most of her life there, the funeral for the 26-year-old Ms. Eygi was a testament to her Turkish heritage and her strong support for the Palestinian cause. Many attendees carried Palestinian flags and wore scarves, while senior Turkish officials also paid their respects. Notably absent were American officials, with no American flags in sight.

In the context of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, the United States and Turkey have taken vastly different stances. The United States has remained an unwavering ally of Israel, continuing to provide military support even amidst growing concerns about civilian casualties. On the other hand, Turkey has aligned itself with the Palestinians, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan openly criticizing Israel's actions and defending Hamas, despite it being considered a terrorist organization by many countries.

The grief-stricken family of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi expressed their frustration with the American response to her killing. In an interview, her father, Mehmet Suat Eygi, who is also a U.S. citizen, lamented the lack of support from the United States. He remarked, "I know how seriously the U.S. looks out for the safety of its citizens abroad, but when it comes to Israel, it transforms into a dove."

Ms. Eygi tragically lost her life on September 6 during a protest near the village of Beita in the occupied West Bank. While the Israeli military claims that her death was unintentional, witnesses dispute this, stating that she was a considerable distance away from the soldiers and that the protest had already calmed down at the time of the incident.

Both Turkey and the United States have condemned her killing, with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken labeling it as "unprovoked and unjustified" and President Joe Biden expressing outrage and sadness. However, Turkey's Parliament Speaker, Numan Kurtulmus, went further, criticizing not only Israel but also countries that support it, emphasizing that this is a collective crime.

The Turkish government's response to Ms. Eygi's killing has been resolute, with officials from different levels of government attending her funeral. President Erdogan has announced that Turkey will seek to include her killing in a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Aysenur Ezgi Eygi's death has become more significant as international criticism of Israel's handling of the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate. The Palestinian Health Ministry reports that over 41,000 people have been killed, with airstrikes persisting, causing further casualties, including women and children.

Friends and relatives of Ms. Eygi remember her as a passionate advocate for those she saw as victims of injustice. Her involvement in various international protests showcased her commitment to social issues and her unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. Despite being viewed as an outlier by some, her determination to make a difference was evident to all who knew her.

The funeral of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi served as a poignant reminder of the deep connections and strong sentiments still held by her Turkish community. It also highlighted the sharp contrast in responses between the United States and Turkey, raising questions about the power dynamics in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.