A group of House Democrats, including some of Israel’s fiercest critics in Congress, gathered outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to demand an investigation into the deaths of Palestinian Americans at the hands of Israeli troops or settlers.
The lawmakers, including Reps. Pramilia Jayapal (D-Wash.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), called on U.S. President Donald Trump to have the U.S. government investigate the deaths or to pressure Israel to do so.
They said that requests for such probes have been ignored by previous administrations, and that the policy is continuing under Trump.
“The Trump administration is continuing to allow U.S. citizens to be killed with impunity,” Jayapal said at a press conference on the Capitol grounds, surrounded by the relatives of many of those killed in Judea and Samaria—some of them holding signs with the names of their loved ones—and gathering under the banner of American Families Demand Justice and Accountability.
“We know our government can investigate the deaths of American citizens abroad,” Jayapal said. “If our government won’t stand up for U.S. citizens, what are they really standing up for?”
The White House did not respond to queries from JNS.
At least 10 Palestinian Americans have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers since January 2022, according to Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.).
“There may never be justice for their killing, but there must be oversight and responsibility,” he said.
“It’s far past time for the United States to do the right thing,” added Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.). “We will never have peace until we can address this violence.”
The lawmakers and relatives gathered on a chilly day under cloudy skies. At one point, rain started to fall, leading Jayapal to observe: “The skies were even crying.”
‘I am here to demand justice’
One of the victims was Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi of Jayapal’s home state of Washington, killed by a sniper after protesting Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria.
Another was Sayfollah “Saif” Musallet, owner of a Florida ice-cream shop, who was beaten to death by settlers while visiting his family.
And there was Tawfic Abdel Jabbar of Louisiana, who was killed when his car was shot at while driving with a friend to a barbecue.
Lee said these and others “should have been protected by our government.”
“Every member of this body should be standing unequivocally against violence against our own citizens,” Lee said. “If this had happened in any other country, we’d be talking about sanctions, we’d be talking about investigations.”
Tlaib said it was “standard procedure” to open investigations when Americans are killed abroad, except when Israel is involved.
Saif’s father, Kamel Musallet, said his son was killed just weeks before his 21st birthday.
“I am here to demand justice for my son,” he said. “No father should have to bury his child.”
Speakers also brought up the case of Mohammed Ibrahim, 16, of Florida, who has remained in prison since February for allegedly throwing rocks at Israeli settlers.
“It’s not a bad dream; it is reality,” said his uncle, Zeyad Ibrahim. “We’re lucky enough to say Mohammad is still here. A simple phone call could get him out. We can’t bring back everybody else, but we can still bring Mohammad back.”
