WA Democrats' Probe Demand Over UW Activist's Death Stalls After GOP Amendment

Republican amendment raises concerns about activist group's ties to terror organizations

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:08pm

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A Washington state legislative effort demanding a federal investigation into the death of a University of Washington graduate in the West Bank has collapsed after Republicans forced Democrats to confront questions about the activist group that brought her to the conflict zone.

Why it matters

The episode raises questions about how the case has been framed politically, with Democrats pushing for a federal probe into the activist's death during a protest, but not responding similarly when another UW scholar was killed by Hamas terrorists.

The details

Senate Joint Memorial 8014, introduced by Democratic state Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, called for a federal investigation into the death of UW graduate Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, who was killed while participating in a protest against Israeli settlement expansion. However, a Republican amendment added context about the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), the activist group that recruited Eygi, noting its ties to Hamas and history of putting volunteers in harm's way. Democrats effectively shelved the memorial rather than debate the amendment publicly.

  • Eygi was killed on Sept. 6, 2024.
  • Hayim Katsman, another UW scholar, was murdered by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023.

The players

Rebecca Saldaña

Democratic state senator who introduced the memorial calling for a federal investigation into Eygi's death.

Chris Corry

Republican state representative who proposed an amendment adding context about the International Solidarity Movement and its ties to Hamas.

Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi

A dual US–Turkish citizen raised in Seattle and a University of Washington graduate who was killed while participating in a protest against Israeli settlement expansion.

Hayim Katsman

A UW PhD alumnus and peace activist who was murdered by Hamas terrorists during an attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

International Solidarity Movement (ISM)

A pro-Hamas activist network that recruits international volunteers to join protests and confrontations alongside Palestinians.

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What they’re saying

“When I first read SJM 8014, it was missing some key components, namely, how do US citizens wind up in at best disputed territories, and at worst an active war zone.”

— Chris Corry, Republican state representative (Jewish News Syndicate)

“The more I dug into it and talked to people, it was clear that this group that got them there has a history of intentionally putting unwitting victims into the line of fire as a way of protest.”

— Chris Corry, Republican state representative (Jewish News Syndicate)

What’s next

If Democrats want to revive the memorial, they will have to start the process over next year.

The takeaway

The episode raises uncomfortable questions about how the Eygi case has been framed politically, with Democrats pushing for a federal probe into her death during a protest, but not responding similarly when another UW scholar was killed by Hamas terrorists, highlighting potential political motivations behind the push for an investigation.