Group Calls on Musallet’s Members of Congress — Rep. Laurel Lee, Sens. Rick Scott and Shley Moody — to Demand Formal U.S. Investigation into His Killing
The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today strongly condemned Gov. Ron DeSantis for refusing to denounce or otherwise address the killing of Saif Musallet, a 20-year-old Florida-born U.S. citizen who was reportedly beaten to death by illegal Israeli settlers while visiting friends and family in the occupied West Bank.
According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, during a public visit to Sarasota on Monday, “Gov. Ron DeSantis refused to comment on the recent murder of a Florida resident and American citizen that was allegedly perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.” Musallet was born in Florida, raised in Port Charlotte, and, along with his family, purchased a small business—an ice cream shop—in North Tampa.
In a statement, CAIR-Florida Executive Director Imam Abdullah Jaber said:
“Floridians like Saif deserve better. If Gov. DeSantis won’t even comment on—let alone call for a formal U.S. investigation into—the brutal murder of one of his own constituents, how can any Floridian trust him to stand up for them in a time of need?
“Saif was an American citizen, a son of Florida, a local ice cream parlor owner, who was killed in broad daylight with the support and protection of the Israeli government.”
He continued:
“CAIR-Florida, alongside our national office, is urging every member of Florida’s congressional delegation—including Saif’s representative, U.S. Rep. Laurel M. Lee, as well as U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Shley Moody—to demand a joint investigation by the State Department and the Department of Justice.
“Silence from Gov. DeSantis, Congress, and the Trump administration is not neutrality—it is complicity. When American citizens like Saif are killed overseas, especially by Israeli settlers backed by the Israeli government, looking the other way sends a dangerous message: that some American lives simply don’t matter. We demand better.”
On Monday, CAIR-Florida held a press conference with Musallet’s family at its Tampa headquarters to call for accountability following Saif’s killing.
SEE:VIDEO: CAIR-FL News Conference with Family of American Murdered by Illegal Israeli Settlers
CLICK HERE: CAIR Action Alert: Tell Congress to Condemn Israel’s Killing of American Citizen
Musallet’s death is part of a broader and deeply troubling pattern of unpunished violence targeting U.S. citizens. Other Americans killed in recent years include journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, peace activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 80-year-old Omar Assad, 14-year-old Omar Mohammad Rabea, and human rights defender Rachel Corrie.
In each case, the U.S. government failed to bring the perpetrators to justice, often claiming it lacks the authority to investigate. CAIR strongly rejects that claim. That failure must end now.
CAIR-Florida demands that Florida’s elected leaders condemn the killing of Sayfollah Musallet, ensure that the Department of Justice prosecutes those responsible, and insist that the Trump administration stop shielding the Israeli government from accountability for its role in escalating settler violence.
CAIR-Florida is the state’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, foster dialogue, safeguard civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and form coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR-Florida es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
CONTACT: Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, CAIR-Florida Communications Director, (305) 502-6749, wruiz@cair.com