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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Loved ones and community members gathered Saturday to honor the life of a Palestinian American man who was tragically killed 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.
According to Sayfollah Musallet’s family, the Florida native was on a two-month vacation visiting family members when he was attacked and beaten to death by illegal settlers.
Leaders of the Florida branch of the Council on American Islamic Relations, or CAIR, held Saturday evening’s vigil.
“The same way any one of us would protect our property. if an intruder and an illegal occupier came onto our property, in our territory, we would protect it and that’s what he died doing,” said Hiba Rahim, Florida branch of CAIR deputy executive director. “His life was taken from him too soon [and] suddenly, he was not able to come back to continue his business and to continue 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.
