SENATE BILL REPORT
SJM 8014
As of January 22, 2026
Brief Description: Requesting an investigation into the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.
Sponsors: Senators Saldaña, Orwall, Alvarado, Dhingra, Frame, Hasegawa, Lovelett, Nobles, Slatter, Stanford, Trudeau, Valdez and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 1/22/26.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requests the United States to open an investigation into the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE
Staff: Ryan Giannini (786-7285)
Background:

Senate Joint Memorials. All memorials and resolutions from the Legislature addressed to the President of the United States, to Congress or either house of Congress, to any other branch of the Federal government, to any other branch of state government, or to any unit of local government shall be in the form of joint memorials.
Summary of Bill:

The Washington State Legislature, by Senate Joint Memorial (SJM), requests the United States open a transparent, thorough, and independent investigation into the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.

 

The Washington State Legislature requests the SJM be transmitted to the United States President, the United States Secretary of State, the United States Department of Justice, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the United States Senate and House of Representatives.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: N/A
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  This Senate Joint Memorial (Memorial) is not about foreign policy, but instead, about consistency and equal treatment under the law and the basic principles that American lives matter. This Memorial requests the United States government to do what it has routinely done in numerous other cases of Americans killed abroad. An independent, thorough, and credible investigation is a crucial step for justice and accountability that will help prevent another family from experiencing a similar tragedy. It is the government's moral and legal obligation to investigate to make sure that no actor or government is beyond scrutiny. Concerns were expressed about the lack of investigation and accountability on the part of the Israeli government and military.

 

CON: Any statement by the Legislature must be accurate, complete, and responsible. This memorial rests on a false factual premise and omits critical context. Concerns were expressed about Aysenur's affiliation with the International Solidarity Movement. Concerns were expressed about the acceptance on the findings of Hayim Katsman's death but not Aysenur's death. 
Persons Testifying:

PRO: Senator Rebecca Saldaña, Prime Sponsor; Hamid Ali; Elisabetta Valenti; Aria Fani; Laila Saliba, Washington for Peace and Justice; Michael Sims; Ozden Bennett; Rae Levine; Imraan Siddiqi, Council on American-Islamic Relations Washington (CAIR-WA); Juliette Majid; Cindy Corrie, Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice; Craig Corrie; Hon. Brian Baird Ph.D.; Ayla Kadah.

CON: Ari Hoffman; Jake Bennett, StandWithUs Northwest.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying:

PRO: Samah Park Imtiaz; Syed Hasnain; Tamara Alsaied; Mohsin Ali; Andrew Park Imtiaz; Heba Qatrani, Associated Students of University of Washington Tacoma; Brandon Elliott, Associated Students of University of Washington; Hiro Hirano-Holcumb, Associated Students of University of Washington Bothell; Nathan Tipmann, Evergreen Geoduck Student Union; Racquel West; Howard Gale; Isaac Olson.