AMP is heartbroken and enraged by the murder of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a 19-year-old Palestinian American and a relative of two members of our New Jersey chapter, who was killed Wednesday, February 18th, by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

Nasrallah was born in Philadelphia and has family in New Jersey. Despite living most of his life in Mukhmas in the West Bank, he was an American citizen. And he is now the second Palestinian American killed by Israeli settlers in less than a year. 

On the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, 50 armed settlers stormed the village of Mukhmas from nearby grazing land where they keep their sheep. When they realized what was happening, a small group of unarmed Palestinian men tried to push them back. Five Palestinians were shot. Nasrallah Abu Siyam was killed. Settlers raided Palestinian barns and stole approximately 200 livestock (sheep). 

No Palestinian, U.S.-born or not, should be hunted down and killed by settlers in the West Bank. Not for their lawfully protected right to defending their land. Not for protecting their animals and livelihood. Not for simply existing.

While our communities mourn Nasrallah’s death, Israel is advancing policies that deepen its control over the West Bank and further erode Palestinian rights and livelihoods, accelerating a long-standing agenda to entrench Israeli sovereignty over occupied territory.

Congress cannot continue to send weapons and diplomatic cover while Palestinians are buried and entire communities are terrorized off their land. We demand a full U.S. investigation, public accountability, and immediate action to end the impunity that makes these attacks possible. Take action now and spread the word.