On Friday, July 11, 2025, armed Israeli settlers lynched Saif Musallet in the occupied West Bank. Saif was an American citizen, who was born and raised not far from CUNY, in Port Charlotte, Florida. Musallet was only several weeks from turning 21 when fate intervened. His death has triggered an avalanche of pain and fury within his family and community. He was staying with relatives in the West Bank when the deadly incident took place.
As a child, Musallet helped co-own an ice cream shop with his father in Tampa. He took the trip to the area to reconnect with his roots and family. Witnesses stated that he and other farmers drove to Sinjil after Friday prayers, intending to drive directly on their land. Sadly, what started out as a productive and positive trip ended in hatred and bigotry. Eyewitness testimony suggests the group of settlers beat Musallet with clubs or sticks.
According to local media reports, when emergency responders arrived, Musallet was already unresponsive, showing signs of severe trauma. His face, the witnesses said, was blue and he wasn’t breathing. His evacuation attempts were delayed for hours, as the settler colonial soldiers I’ve been referring to as settlers set up a blockade preventing ambulances from reaching his location.
Eventual routing by officers from COGAT, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. For Musallet, it was too late. In his own grieving process, Kamel’s father Musallet experienced a deep sadness and rage surrounding the detainment. He squarely blames not only the Israeli military but the settlers for his son’s death.
“We want justice. We want the American-Israeli and the American-Palestinian to be in the same class,” – Kamel Musallet
Only one week before his death, Saif Musallet had a touching farewell phone call with Father. To their surprise during their conversation, he revealed that he had been considering getting married. He said he was especially hopeful that his trip would help him find a future wife.
“I think it’s time for me to get married,” – Saif Musallet
“Hopefully while I’m here, I’m able to find a future spouse to get engaged to,” – Saif Musallet
U.S. authorities have done little in return. Kamel Musallet did get a condolence call from the U.S. consulate, but he says that there has been no follow-up from the U.S. administration. He urged increased accountability and action in response to settler violence.
Abdel Jabbar, a community member who witnessed the attack, voiced his frustrations about the world’s silence on such violent incidents. He offered prayers for the families who have suffered from these kinds of tragedies.
“You scream to the whole world and the whole world is watching – simply silent – seeing all these mothers put their sons that they worked so hard to raise them up for 20 years,” – Abdel Jabbar
What’s really troubling though, Jabbar was on to say, is the lack of follow up from world leaders and world institutions despite the prominence of these events.
“What hurts you deeply is the silence of the whole world,” – Abdel Jabbar
The Israeli military is purportedly conducting a criminal investigation into the events leading to Musallet’s death. They have not yet responded to these allegations that their personnel obstructed medical support in the vital minutes after the attack.
As loved ones continue to grieve the tragic, premature loss of Saif Musallet, demands for accountability ring louder across the community and nation. Beyond the urgent humanitarian aspects, the tragedy highlights continuing tensions in the region and accountability for acts of violence against civilians.
