Loved ones and community members gathered on Saturday in Tampa, Fla., to pay tribute to the life of a Palestinian American man whose life was tragically taken in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
“He was such a good kid who didn’t deserve what happened to him,” said Hesam Musallet, Sayfollah Musallet’s uncle.
Family members of Sayfollah Musallet stated that he was a Florida native on a two-month vacation visiting relatives when he was attacked and fatally beaten by illegal settlers.
Leaders of the Florida branch of the Council on American Islamic Relations, or CAIR, held Saturday evening’s vigil.
“Just as anyone would defend their property, if an intruder and an illegal occupier entered our territory, we would protect it, which is what he died doing,” said Hiba Rahim, deputy executive director of the Florida branch of CAIR. “His life was cut short unexpectedly, preventing him from returning to continue his business and his life.”
Islamic advocates along with Musallet’s family are calling on U.S. elected officials for an independent investigation into the 20-year-old’s death and for arrests to be made.
“We are here to let everybody know he’s an American citizen, he was loved, and we need the United States to find the perpetrators [and] help, you know, investigate,” Musallet’s uncle said.
Local city council officials from multiple parts of the Tampa Bay area were also present urging for a deligent probe into Musallet’s death.
“I echo the words of the U.S. State Department in demanding and a great yet aggressive investigation into this criminal and terrorist murder of an American citizen beaten to death while visiting his mother,” said Lynn Hurtak, City of Tampa councilwoman representing District 3.
“I absolutely call for, investigation into this, to make sure that the criminals and the terrorists that did it are brought to justice,” said Richie Floyd, St. Petersburg councilmember representing District 8.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also weighed in on the matter and posted a statement to X:
Islamic leaders told News Channel 8 Saturday, though there are no more events scheduled in regard to Musallet for the near future, the momentum in calling for a U.S. independent investigation into the incident will not end.
