U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee has called for an in-depth investigation into the killing of Sayfollah Musallet, a Palestinian-American, as violence continues to escalate in the West Bank.
US Amb. Huckabee Rejects Violence Against Palestinians Amid West Bank Clash
US Amb. Huckabee Rejects Violence Against Palestinians Amid West Bank Clash
Mike Huckabee demands investigation into the death of a Palestinian-American amidst rising tensions in the region.
In a strong statement, Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, condemned the killing of Sayfollah Musallet, who was shot during a confrontation between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank. The ambassador characterized the incident as a “murder” and called for “accountability for this criminal and terrorist act.” This remark marks a departure from Huckabee's usual stance, which often supports Israeli settlements, deemed illegal by the international community.
Musallet, a 20-year-old Florida resident, was visiting family in the West Bank when he was killed in violence that also resulted in the death of another Palestinian man, Mohammad Shalabi, 23. The events unfolded near Sinjil, a Northern West Bank town, during a tense period characterized by increased settler violence against Palestinians amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
According to reports, the confrontation escalated when Palestinians allegedly threw stones, injuring a couple of Israeli settlers. The Israeli military confirmed there was a violent exchange but did not provide details about who was responsible for the fatalities, leaving the matter under investigation by local intelligence and police.
Despite the ambiguity surrounding the incident, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem confirmed Musallet's death and his American citizenship. The call for accountability from the U.S. ambassador emphasizes the urgency of addressing growing violence in the region and the need for a thorough examination of the events that led to the tragedy.
