A group of 103 US lawmakers has called on the Biden administration to conduct an independent investigation into the killing of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish-American activist, by Israeli forces in the West Bank earlier this month.
In a letter sent Tuesday to President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Attorney General Merrick Garland, the lawmakers requested a thorough and transparent investigation into Eygi’s death, demanding accountability and questioning whether the shooting was intentional.
Eygi, a 26-year-old Seattle resident and recent graduate of the University of Washington, was fatally shot by Israeli forces during a protest against illegal Israeli settlements on September 6.
Today, I sent a letter, cosigned by 102 of my colleagues, to urge the U.S. to investigate the fatal shooting of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi. Given the evidence, we believe the United States must independently investigate whether this was a homicide. To walk away without asking further… pic.twitter.com/Cg1haiHZgS
— Rep. Adam Smith (@RepAdamSmith) September 24, 2024
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) initially stated that Eygi was “highly likely” hit indirectly during a “violent riot.” However, eyewitness accounts and a Washington Post investigation contradict the IDF’s version, suggesting the shooting occurred after confrontations had ceased and protesters had moved away from the area.
Members of the House of Representatives including Adam Smith, Pramila Jayapal and Rashida Tlaib as well as Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch expressed concerns over the IDF’s explanation, stating that failing to conduct a thorough investigation could give Israeli forces impunity. They called for a report detailing the investigation’s findings to be shared with Eygi’s family.
Turkey has opened an investigation into Eygi’s killing and will request international arrest warrants, Ankara said this month, while President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey would go to the ICJ over the matter.
Eygi’s death has added strain to ties between Israel and its main ally, the United States, which has been angered by the surge of assaults on Palestinians in the West Bank and demanded a swift investigation into the incident.
Washington has said Eygi’s killing was unacceptable and that Israel must ensure such an incident never happens again.
Israel’s initial findings on the killing do not exonerate its security forces, the United States said, warning that it would consider other measures if it is not satisfied with the results of a full Israeli probe.