On Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee publicly urged Israeli authorities to âaggressively investigateâ the fatal beating of Saif Musallet, a 20-year-old Palestinian American, by settlers in the occupied West Bank town of Sinjil.
Huckabee, known for his support of settlement construction, labeled the incident a âcriminal and terrorist actâ on X, marking one of the few times the U.S. has pressed Israel so directly amid rising violence in the territory.
Musallet, visiting family from Florida, was attacked late Friday evening. His relatives say medics took hours to arrive and he died before reaching the hospital.
Israelâs military confirmed it is probing the beating, noting clashes erupted after Palestinians reportedly threw rocks at nearby settlers. According to official statements, security forces used non-lethal measures to disperse both sides.
Settler violence against Palestinians and retaliatory attacks have escalated since October 2023, following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict. Many analysts see the uptick as part of a longer trend of simmering tensions across the West Bank.
- Recent U.S. citizens killed include Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.
- Palestinian attacks have also claimed Israeli American lives, such as Elan Ganeles in March 2023.
- The U.N.âs top court has ruled that the occupation and settlements breach international law, a stance Israel disputes citing security and historical ties.
The Trump administrationâs 2024 decision to lift sanctions on settler groups drew criticism from rights advocates, who warn it may embolden extremist violence in the West Bank.
As the investigation unfolds, the U.S. call for accountability underscores a broader push to uphold human rights and stabilize one of the worldâs most volatile regions.
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U.S. demands probe into killing of American by Israeli settlers
cgtn.com
