While the world had its eyes fixed on the Gaza flotilla, another tragedy was unfolding not too far away. Soon after news emerged of Israel's deadly raid on the Turkish aid convoy, the Mavi Marmara, protests erupted across the world in condemnation of the assault. One such protest occurred on May 31st, in the occupied West Bank, at the Qalandiya checkpoint. While other protests throughout the world ended without any disturbance, the rally at the Qalandiya checkpoint ended in tragedy for a 21-year-old American student, Emily Henochowicz. Emily attended the protest to condemn Israel's attack on the Mavi Marmara. It was a decision that would cost her dearly, as the student lost her eye after an Israeli troop fired a tear gas canister, allegedly, directly at her face. Warning: Some may find the following image disturbing: Emily Henochowicz loses eye at West Bank protest – Courtesy of International Solidarity Movement A student at the prestigious Cooper Union art school in New York, Emily – of Jewish descent – went to the Palestinian territory as part of the International Solidarity Movement, to join in non-violent resistance to Israel's illegal occupation. News of the tragedy quickly made its way online, with tributes flooding in from across the world on Emily's blog, Thirsty Pixels: I hope this unfortunate event won't bring you down , but will make you even stronger than what you are. Thank you for being there, and acting against injustices! I sincerely hope you get well soon, and continue your beautiful art work!!! From Russia JUNE 1, 2010 6:22 AM avinunu Can Israel maim Americans with impunity @StateDept? Justice for Emily Henochowicz http://bit.ly/a7P5NS #flotilla JeremyJHardy On Monday, Emily Henochowicz was shot in the face with a gas canister at Qalandiya checkpoint. She lost her eye. Explain that, Netanyahu. hughsansom To @nprnews, @npratc, David Brooks, EJ Dionne: What's ur defense of IDF shooting Emily Henochowicz, pointblank in eye w/ tear gas canister? slavdavidzon @IsraelMFA Do you have a statement re: attack on American Emily Henochowicz at a #Flotilla protest? Was she attacking your soldiers too? Medusafern @flotilla Emily Henochowicz lost eye 2 Israeli teargas canister & Furkan Dogan lost life to 5 Israeli bullets & U.S. Govt still luvs Israel. Video footage of Emily's tragedy has gone viral on YouTube, with the following report by DemocracyNow! uploaded a number of times on the site. ***Warning – graphic scenes*** Reactions to the incident were sombre, particularly from several prominent American bloggers. Popular American Jewish blogger, Philip Weiss of Mondoweiss, maintained continuous updates on Emily's wellbeing. Weiss posted the following, titled “Can the Israel government maim Americans with impunity?”: Cry, my beloved country, … [for] the shooting of Emily Henochowicz, 21, a Cooper Union art student demonstrating against Israel's flotilla raid on Monday, is at the Baltimore Sun site (she's from Maryland)… More photos of Henochowicz, I'm afraid very graphic, at ISM site. Henochowicz lost her left eye and had to have reconstructive surgery on her face, in Israel. No news at the Cooper site, though they did issue a statement we picked up Tuesday. Note the grim surroundings of the Qalandiya checkpoint, this is the eastern side of the checkpoint. Oh and it has been reported that Henochowicz is Jewish. She is an artist. Here is her youtube page, check out Walkers and a frontier, and the flipbook. Wow. What was such a young and gifted American artist doing at Qalandiya checkpoint? We're pulling for you, Emily. Mondoweiss’ coverage of Emily's incident drew several comments to his posts expressing outrage at Israel's actions and Obama's silent response, including: James June 1, 2010 at 3:36 pm this is like a rachel corrie moment… i am very sorry to hear of this and my wish is that israel will stop it’s bullshit while the world community will say enough is enough to israel as well.. unfortunately a number of politicians don’t get involved unless they are directly involved in this kind of thing thru a family member, or close friend.. i truly wish more politicians grew a backbone and if any out their are reading this, learn how to be independent and a voice for change instead of this bs… radii June 1, 2010 at 4:45 pm … this incident should be the dividing line for American jews who support security, peace and prosperity for jews around the world as opposed to those who have a blood-lust for conquest in the name of zionism. the Obama administration’s near-silence and refusal to allow the UN Security Council to issue a strong condemnation comes down to one thing: the approaching 2010 election and the calculation the Obama-ites have made that they need American jews’ money.