SAEDNEWS: Mourners in Al-Mazr'a Ash-Sharqiya condemned both Israel and the United States on Sunday after Israeli settlers killed two Palestinian men, deepening anger over Washington’s protection of Israeli violence.
Frustration toward the United States escalated in the Israeli-occupied West Bank town of Al-Mazr'a Ash-Sharqiya, where crowds filled the streets to bury Sayfollah Musallet, 21, and Hussein Al-Shalabi, 23.
Palestinian health officials and witnesses said Musallet was beaten to death and Al-Shalabi was shot in the chest by settlers during a confrontation late Friday.
The victims’ families accused Washington of shielding Israeli aggression and demanded action.
"There's no accountability," said Kamel Musallet, who travelled from the United States to bury his son.
"We demand the United States government do something about it. I don't want his death to go in vain."
Musallet held US citizenship and had returned from Tampa, Florida, to visit his mother.
Other residents said the killing mirrored past cases in which Palestinian American citizens, including journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, were gunned down without consequence.
A US State Department spokesperson claimed on Friday it was aware of Musallet’s death but declined further comment "out of respect for the privacy of the family."
When asked whether the United States would push for accountability, the spokesperson deferred to Israel, stating Washington "has no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens overseas."
Locals called this response an endorsement of Israeli crimes.
According to the Israeli military, settlers clashed with Palestinians after rocks were thrown at Israelis, lightly injuring them.
Musallet’s relatives said emergency medics were blocked from reaching him for three hours. His brother eventually carried him to an ambulance, but he died before arrival at the hospital.
Eighteen-year-old Domi, who moved back from the United States four years ago, said families were now weighing whether to flee again.
"If people have sons like this they are going to want to send them back to America because it's just not safe for them," he said.
He described feeling torn, wanting to remain near his family's farmland but blaming Washington for ignoring Palestinian lives.
"It's a kind of betrayal," he said.
Settler attacks have intensified since Israel launched its war on Gaza in late 2023.
Rights groups say Israeli settlers, emboldened by US support, have carried out assaults across the West Bank with impunity.
Around 700,000 settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the occupied territories Israel seized in 1967.
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump rescinded sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on settlers implicated in violence.
Malik, 18, who knew Musallet from Florida, said the killing shattered any illusion of belonging.
"I was born and raised in America, I only come here two months a year. If I die like that nobody's going to be charged for my murder," he said at the cemetery.
"No one's going to be held accountable."
