Jesús 'Chuy' García
04/24/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/24/2026 13:58
Congressman Chuy García Leads 23 Colleagues in Demanding Investigation into the Killing of American Citizen Khamis Ayyad
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) led 23 Members in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche urging the U.S. government to conduct a thorough, credible, and independent investigation into the killing of Khamis Ayyad, a U.S. citizen who was killed during Israeli settler raids in the West Bank last summer.
"Mr. Ayyad was a U.S. citizen who raised his five children in my district. As with all Americans killed abroad, his family deserves at minimum a credible and independent investigation into his death. But no serious steps have been taken by this or any administration to ensure accountability for the nine Americans killed in the occupied West Bank since 2022," said Congressman García. "I join Mr. Ayyad's family in demanding an investigation into his killing, and I urge the U.S. government to protect American citizens in the West Bank and to stop enabling Israeli settler violence."
"At the age of twenty-four, Khamis made the difficult decision to leave his homeland and move to the United States in search of a better future. Over the years, his dedication earned him U.S. citizenship, making him a true example of a hardworking, law-abiding man striving to build a dignified life," said Laith Ayyad, brother of Khamis Ayyad. "[When] settlers attacked [Kilwad], [...] Khamis rushed to help-both to save his brother and to assist neighbors whose homes and children were threatened by the spreading flames. He risked his life to extinguish the fire and rescue those in danger. [...] His passing left behind a grieving family, a heartbroken community, and countless people who loved him deeply. He remains a symbol of courage, kindness, generosity, and righteousness-a man who gave without limits and sacrificed his life for others."
A copy of the letter can be found here.
A copy of Laith Ayyad's full statement can be found here.
In addition to Congressman García, the letter was signed by: Representatives Becca Balint (VT-00), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Sean Casten (IL-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), John Garamendi (CA-08), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Al Green (TX-09), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Summer Lee (PA-12), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Paul Tonko (NY-20).
Organizations endorsing the letter include: Center for International Policy (CIP), J Street, and Council for American Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Chicago.
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