Murray, Jayapal Call for Independent Investigation, Accountability in the Killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) are calling on President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to conduct an independent, U.S.-led investigation into the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Washington State resident and U.S. citizen, by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the West Bank.

"Our hearts are with her family, friends, colleagues, and community, all of whom are devastated by her killing and deserve to know their government has done everything it can to fully understand what led to her killing, pursue accountability for those involved, and seek to ensure this does not happen again." wrote the Members. "That is why we request an immediate, transparent, credible, and thorough independent U.S. investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), into the killing of Ms. Eygi, which as Secretary Blinken said was 'unprovoked and unjustified.'"

Ms. Eygi was killed on September 6, 2024, and the Israeli government has acknowledged that it is "highly likely" she was killed by IDF fire. Ms. Eygi is the most recent in a pattern of American citizens being killed without accountability. Murray and Jayapal's letter outlines five other similar instances, including the killing of Rachel Corrie, a U.S. citizen also from Washington State who was killed in 2003. Despite more than 70 Members of Congress calling for an independent investigation into Ms. Corrie's killing, no such action was taken.

"We fear that if this pattern of impunity does not end with Ms. Eygi, it will only continue to escalate. It is imperative that the United States take concrete and decisive action to better protect American citizens," the Members concluded.

The letter specifically requests written explanations by September 24 outlining how the administration plans to address this tragedy.

The full letter can be read here.

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