1. United States
2. Letter

The United States government must reevaluate its unwavering military aid and support for Israel in light of the tragic killing of American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi. As an eyewitness account states, Eygi was shot in the head by an Israeli sniper while peacefully protesting the expansion of an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank. This killing follows a disturbing pattern of American nationals being killed by Israeli forces with no accountability, including the high-profile cases of Rachel Corrie in 2003 and Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022. Eygi's death highlights Israel's excessive use of force and disregard for civilian life, enabled by the billions of dollars in military aid it receives annually from the U.S. Despite claims of conducting investigations, Israel has systematically failed to hold its forces accountable for violence against protesters, medics, journalists, and other civilians. Continuing to fund such a regime undermines American values and interests. This tragic incident must prompt an immediate reevaluation of the U.S. government's blind military aid to Israel. Suspending arms transfers and enforcing strict conditions on future aid is crucial to prevent further loss of innocent lives and promote a just resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on human rights and international law. The status quo of impunity for Israeli forces is unacceptable and enabling an apartheid reality. American tax dollars should never subsidize the killing of U.S. citizens exercising their rights to free speech and peaceful protest.