The family of Sayfollah Musallet, a US citizens who was beaten to death by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, is calling for justice and accountability. Musallet’s relatives want the US government to launch its own investigation into the incident to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. This case highlights the complex and often contentious relationship between the US and Israel, particularly when it comes to issues of accountability for violence against civilians.
The US has a history of responding to incidents of Israeli violence against American citizens with calls for investigations and expressions of concern. However, critics argue that these responses often lack teeth and fail to hold Israel accountable for its actions. In Musallet’s case, the administration of President Donald Trump urged Israel to “aggressively” investigate the killing, but it is unclear what further actions the US has taken to seek justice.
Advocates argue that the US response to Israeli violence against American citizens reflects a “pattern of impunity” that allows Israel to act with little accountability. Since 2022, eight other US citizens have been killed by Israeli settlers or soldiers, with little to no consequences for those responsible. This lack of accountability raises questions about the US commitment to protecting its citizens and upholding human rights.
The cases of Omar Assad, Shireen Abu Akleh, Tawfiq Ajaq, Mohammad Khdour, Jacob Flickinger, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, Kamel Jawad, and Amer Rabee are just a few examples of the many incidents of Israeli violence against American citizens that have gone unpunished. In each of these cases, the US response has been criticized for being inadequate and failing to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
The US provides Israel with billions of dollars in military aid annually, and successive presidential administrations have affirmed their “unwavering” support for Israel. Critics argue that this close relationship can create a lack of accountability and embolden Israel to act with impunity.
The US policy on Israeli violence against American citizens has been shaped by a complex set of factors, including diplomatic relations, strategic interests, and domestic politics. While the US has called for investigations and expressed concern about violence in the past, it has often stopped short of taking concrete actions to hold Israel accountable.
As the US continues to navigate its relationship with Israel, advocates are calling for greater accountability and action to protect American citizens. The family of Sayfollah Musallet and other advocates are pushing for the US government to take a stronger stance on Israeli violence and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
The US response to Israeli violence against American citizens will likely continue to be shaped by a complex set of factors, including diplomatic relations, strategic interests, and domestic politics. However, as the number of American citizens killed by Israeli forces continues to grow, there is a growing call for greater accountability and action to protect human rights.