Jayapal Statement on Lack of Accountability for Killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi

SEATTLE, WA - U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released the following statement more than a month after the killing of U.S. citizen Aysenur Ezgi Eygi in the West Bank:

"It has been 32 days since Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was killed in the West Bank, and we have seen no movement toward an independent investigation by the U.S. government and no additional information on changes in the practices of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) units that are using live ammunition on those who are peacefully protesting.

"I have had numerous briefings with State Department officials, and I have been in close touch with Eygi's family, as her father is my constituent. I am frankly appalled with the lack of movement on this case. I have received no information that gives me any assurance that the killing of a U.S. citizen by the IDF is being treated with the urgency it deserves. Secretary Blinken called the killing of Eygi 'unprovoked and unjustified', and the Israeli government has acknowledged that it is 'highly likely' that Eygi was killed by the IDF. The Washington Post conducted its own investigation into Eygi's killing, based on eyewitness accounts. That report directly challenged the Israeli government's account of what happened.

"As Senator Murray and I detailed in our letter, this is not the first time Israeli forces have killed U.S. citizens. We are seeing history repeat itself in a dangerous and unacceptable way. In 2003, Rachel Corrie, a U.S. citizen from Washington State was killed in the West Bank, and despite more than 70 Members of Congress calling for an independent investigation, no such action was taken. Just this year, three U.S. citizens have been killed in the West Bank. U.S. citizens must be safe abroad and if they are killed, our government must act. It is that simple.

"The U.S. is the largest backer of military assistance to Israel. If the Israeli government is unwilling or unable to follow our own domestic laws as well as international humanitarian laws, we must demand accountability by stopping certain offensive U.S. military assistance. In this situation, to ensure the trust of our own U.S. citizens, we must initiate our own investigation into Eygi's killing, use our leverage to demand changes to the IDF's rules of engagement, and apply our domestic laws to this situation for full accountability.

"Recently, 102 members of Congress wrote a letter calling for an independent investigation into Eygi's killing. My colleagues and I will not rest until we have answers."

Issues: Foreign Affairs & National Security