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Senate Democrats Urge Probe of Settler Killing of U.S. Citizen in West Bank

Lawmakers say a U.S. inquiry is needed to end impunity for Americans killed in the occupied territory

The U.S. Capitol building is pictured at sunset on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo
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Sen. Chris Van Hollen speaks during a rally held by Congress members in support of detained Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi in front of the State Department on April 29, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

Overview

  • Twenty-nine Senate Democrats led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen sent a July 24 letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi calling for an independent investigation into the July 11 beating death of 20-year-old Sayfollah Musallet in Sinjil.
  • The letter highlights at least seven U.S. citizens killed in the West Bank since January 2022 with little to no accountability from Israeli authorities.
  • U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee publicly urged Israel on July 15 to “aggressively investigate” Musallet’s death, labeling it a criminal and terrorist act.
  • Israel Police say they are probing the incident, while the State and Justice Departments have not yet replied to the senators’ formal request.
  • Lawmakers warned that a roughly 30 percent year-over-year surge in settler attacks underscores the need for stronger U.S. leverage to enforce human rights standards in the territory.