Tragedy in the West Bank Settlers' Attack Claims Young American Life

Tragedy in the West Bank: American-Palestinian Killed by Israeli Settlers

The West Bank is once again facing increased tensions as reports emerge of a tragic incident involving the death of a young Palestinian-American man. Sayfollah “Saif” Musallet, a 20-year-old visiting relatives, was allegedly killed by Israeli settlers near Ramallah. This incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls for accountability.

According to his family, Musallet was attacked while on their farm. They allege that he was beaten by Israeli settlers, and that ambulances were prevented from reaching him for approximately three hours. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries before he could reach a hospital. His friend, Mohammed Nael Hijaz, 22, recounted the horrific scene: "He was not moving when I got there and he could barely breathe. There was time to save him.”

Adding to the devastation, the Palestinian health ministry reported that another man, 23-year-old Razek Hussein al-Shalabi, was fatally shot during the same attack and left to die. The funerals for both men are scheduled to be held jointly.

This incident occurs amid a backdrop of escalating settler violence in the West Bank. Key points to consider:

• The attacks are part of a worrying trend of increasing Israeli settler violence against Palestinians.
• Since October 7, 2023, over **1,000 Palestinians** have been killed and at least **9,000 injured**.

The Israeli military stated that stones were thrown at Israelis, leading to a “violent confrontation”. They also mentioned being "aware of reports concerning a Palestinian civilian” and are currently "looking into the incident."

The U.S. Department of State has acknowledged the death of a U.S. citizen in the West Bank and offered consular services, while refraining from further comment "out of respect for privacy of the family." The family is urging the U.S. State Department to conduct a thorough investigation and "hold the Israeli settlers who killed Saif accountable for their crimes." Witnesses also claim that Israeli soldiers were present during the confrontation.

Disturbingly, Musallet is not the first Palestinian-American teenager to be killed in the West Bank since October 7. To date, no one has been held responsible for these deaths.

Saif Musallet, born and raised in Florida, had recently opened an ice-cream shop in Tampa with his father. He traveled to the West Bank to visit relatives in early June. His friend, Hijaz, described him as “a very sweet guy, full of hopes and dreams." The family released a statement highlighting Saif’s character: “Saif was a brother and a son, just starting the prime of his life. He was a kind and hard-working and deeply respected young man. Saif built a successful business in Tampa and was known for his generosity, ambition and connection to his Palestinian heritage.”

The attack occurred on a family-owned farm in Baten al-Hawa, an area under Palestinian Authority administrative control but Israeli military security control. This region has seen previous incidents, including an attack on journalists from DW, a German broadcaster, by settlers just a week prior.

Concerns are growing about the role of the Israeli military. Rights groups have accused them of either standing by or even assisting settlers during raids on Palestinian villages, where property is vandalized and residents are attacked. Arrests of settlers remain infrequent.

Other Recent Events:

• Two weeks prior, over 100 settlers rampaged through Kafr Malek, killing three and injuring several more.
• At a funeral for an Israeli soldier and settler killed in Gaza, mourners called for revenge against Palestinians.

The Biden administration had previously imposed sanctions on certain individuals within the settler community in an attempt to curb the violence, but these sanctions were later repealed.

The current situation underscores the urgent need for de-escalation and accountability. Hijaz’s words paint a stark picture: “The settlers want to take over our land. Their aggression is increasing by the day. The Israeli army comes to protect them and don’t do anything to stop them from attacking us. No one can hold the settlers accountable.”

This tragic loss serves as a painful reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict and the imperative for a just and lasting peace. The call for a thorough and impartial investigation into Saif Musallet's death, and for holding those responsible accountable, must be heeded. Only then can we hope to prevent further tragedies and move towards a future where such violence is no longer a reality.

Tags: West Bank, Palestinian, Israeli settlers, Saif Musallet, Settler violence, Ramallah, Middle East, Israel, Palestine, Attack

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/12/israeli-settlers-kill-american-palestinian-visiting-relatives-in-west-bank-says-family