US Fails to Protect Palestinian-American Families, Denying Them Justice and Accountability

Congresswoman Summer L. Lee, along with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, held a press conference at the House Triangle to denounce the US government's inaction in protecting Palestinian-American families whose loved ones have been killed or unjustly detained by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. The delegation of American families shared heartbreaking testimony of their children and loved ones, demanding urgent action to end impunity for the killing and detention of American citizens abroad. The US government's failure to protect Palestinian-American families has resulted in the deaths of at least 10 American citizens since 2022, with many more facing imprisonment, food and medical care denial, and untreated illness.

Key Takeaways:

• At least 10 American citizens have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and Gaza since 2022, with the US government failing to secure accountability and protect Palestinian-American families.
• The delegation of American families included Ozden Eygi Bennett and Hamid Ali, whose daughter was shot and killed by an Israeli soldier while peacefully protesting in the occupied West Bank, Kamel Musallet, whose son was beaten to death by Israeli settlers, and Hafeth Jabbar, whose son was shot and killed by Israeli gunfire.
• The US government has failed to protect Palestinian-American families, with many facing imprisonment, food and medical care denial, and untreated illness, including Mohammed Ibrahim, who has been unjustly imprisoned since February 2025 and has lost over 30 pounds.
• Congresswoman Summer Lee serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Education and Workforce, and has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.4 Billion to Western PA since taking office in January 2023.
• Lee and her team have delivered casework and constituent services to over 3,000 constituents, including helping seniors and disabled community members access Medicare and social security, securing housing, and providing immigration support and passports.

Statistics:

• Since 2022, at least 10 American citizens have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and Gaza.
• Over 3,000 constituents have received casework and constituent services from Congresswoman Summer Lee and her team since taking office in January 2023.
• Lee and her team have delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.4 Billion to Western PA since taking office in January 2023.
• Over $580 million has been invested in infrastructure, over $110 million in affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe.

Sources:

• Office of Pennsylvania Rep. Summer Lee
• Press conference at the House Triangle
• Congresswoman Summer L. Lee's remarks
• Testimony of Ozden Eygi Bennett and Hamid Ali
• Testimony of Kamel Musallet
• Testimony of Hafeth Jabbar
• Testimony of Cindy and Craig Corrie
• Testimony of Zeyad Ibrahim