FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2025
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Washington, D.C. | Under the protection of government officials, Israeli settlers lynched a Palestinian American man from Tampa, Florida during an attack near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. The victim, 23-year-old Saif al-Din Musalat (also reported as Sayfollah Musallet), born in Port Charlotte, Florida, was visiting family for the summer when he was beaten to death while protesting the construction of a new illegal Israeli outpost on village land in al‑Mazra’a ash‑Sharqiya. An ambulance was blocked from reaching him for nearly two hours.
This horrific murder is yet another example of Israel killing American citizens. As of the issuance of this statement, no one has been arrested, no one has been indicted, and—if the past is any guide—no one will be held accountable for the death of Saif. This is not an aberration; it is part of a well‑documented pattern of impunity enjoyed by illegal Israeli settlers and security forces who routinely attack Palestinians and Palestinian‑Americans under the protection of occupation authorities and indifference of U.S. officials.
Typically, when Americans are killed abroad, the United States government mobilizes the full weight of the State Department, the FBI, and international partners within hours. But when the perpetrators are Israeli settlers or security forces, many U.S. citizens themselves, Washington’s response is silence, delay, or repeating the lies of Israeli authorities.
The lives of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, 80‑year‑old Omar Assad, 14‑year‑old Omar Rabea, and now Saif al-Din Musalat testify to this shameful double standard.
ADC calls on President Donald J. Trump to direct the State Department to open an immediate, American-led investigation into this heinous murder; demand that Israeli authorities arrest and prosecute the perpetrators without delay; and apply standard diplomatic protocol given to any murdered U.S. citizen, including public condemnation of the crime, and regular briefings to Congress until justice is served.
“Failing to act not only diminishes the value of Palestinian‑American lives; it signals to violent actors worldwide that certain U.S. passports are worth less than others. That is unacceptable,” said ADC National Executive Director, Abed Ayoub.
Saif helped run his family’s ice‑cream shop in Florida. His family, our community, and this nation deserve justice—not another empty condolence. The United States government’s highest duty is to protect its citizens. We demand that duty be honored equally and without exception.
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