Letting Murderers Investigate Themselves is Criminal. Investigate Israel Now!

In the wake of the American citizen recently murdered by an Israeli soldier, I am joining Ayşenur Eygi’s family in calling on the Biden administration to mandate an independent investigation into her unlawful killing in order to ensure full accountability. In the occupied West Bank, mourners held a funeral procession on Monday 9/10/2024 for Turkish-American activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, who was fatally shot in the head by Israeli forces the previous Friday while she joined a protest against illegal Israeli settlements in the town of Beita. Witnesses say she was killed by an Israeli sniper after the demonstration had already dispersed. Lulu, another U.S. activist in the West Bank, spoke about the recent loss of Ayşenur. “We’re all very saddened by this. My heart and my thoughts are with her family. And we, as volunteers here, we feel her loss, but we are not scared off by the Israelis. We are not scared off by this attack. We will continue to stay here in solidarity with the Palestinians for as long as we live, no matter what happens.” On the Monday following her killing, the State Department appeared to rule out a U.S.-led probe, saying it would wait for the results of an Israeli investigation. Vedant Patel: “I think most important is to let this process play out, for the facts to be gathered and for those to come to light. And I will just leave it at that.” The suggestion that an investigation of the murder of an American citizen, at the hands of the Israeli military, be conducted by the very military that is implicated in the killing, is simply irresponsible and disrespectful. An independent investigation must be carried out, and an arms embargo must be enacted immediately to force Israel to comply. We will not rest until justice is served and Israel is held accountable for the innocent lives it has taken, and it’s time that you join us in this task. I look forward to your immediate action.