U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee took a firm stand on Tuesday, calling for Israel to “aggressively investigate” the tragic death of 20-year-old Palestinian-American Saif Mussallet, who was allegedly beaten to death by Israeli settlers in the West Bank village of Sinjil on July 11, 2025.
Huckabee declared, “I have asked @Israel to aggressively investigate the m*rder of Saif Mussallet, an American citizen who was visiting family in Sinjil when he was beaten to death. There must be accountability for this criminal and terrorist act. Saif was just 20 yrs old.”
This decisive call for justice reflects America’s unwavering commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, emphasizing the need for accountability in the face of violence against a young American.
The U.S. State Department reinforced this priority, stating:
“The agency has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas,” though it declined to provide further details, citing respect for the family’s privacy.
Details of the Incident and Family’s Plea
Saif Mussallet, a Tampa, Florida, resident visiting family in Sinjil, was reportedly attacked by settlers who blocked medics from reaching him for over three hours, leading to his death before he could be hospitalized, according to his family’s statement.
Kamel Mussallet, Saif’s father, told CNN, “An American has been k*lled by Israeli violence, Israeli settler violence. The violence is just extreme.”
The family has urged the U.S. State Department to conduct its own investigation, highlighting their demand for transparency and justice.
The Israeli military, however, claimed the incident began with Palestinians throwing rocks at settlers, “lightly injuring two,” and stated that a joint investigation by the Israel Police and Military Police Criminal Investigation Division is underway.
No arrests have been made, though two Israeli minors and a reserve soldier were briefly detained and released.
Social Media Controversy and Broader Context
Huckabee’s call for investigation sparked debate on social media, with some X users questioning Mussallet’s death due to a Hamas-issued mourning poster, one writing, “The guy being celebrated by Hamas as a martyr? Yes, I would be curious to learn more about his business in Judea and Samaria.”
Palestinian-American commentator Ihab Hassan countered, “This claim is not only false — it is revolting,” explaining:
“In Palestine, when someone is k*lled by the Israeli army or settlers, all political parties, even bitter rivals like Fatah and Hamas, often issue mourning posters.” He noted that both factions released posters for Mussallet.
The incident occurs amid heightened West Bank violence, with over 1,000 Palestinians k*lled by Israeli forces or settlers since October 2023, according to the United Nations.
