"We are aware of the killing of an American citizen!"

Dr. Ahmed Rafiq Awad

Thus, in cold, neutral language, devoid of even sympathy, understanding, or condemnation, the US State Department issued a statement following the killing of the 20-year-old Palestinian-American, Saif al-Din Muslat, by settlers attempting to seize his land in Sinjil on the 13th of this month.
The statement issued by the US State Department did not condemn the killing, nor did it mention its perpetrators, causes, or nature. The statement ignored the time, place, background, and motives, and appeared to be discussing the weather or currency exchange rates. It seems that the author of the statement realized that the citizen was American and that a position had to be taken, so he threw out a sentence that could be interpreted in many ways and absolved America and Israel of their responsibility. The author of the statement indicated that "questions related to any investigation should be directed to the government of Israel." He did not demand an investigation, neither urgent nor delayed, nor did he call for steps to protect American citizens. The statement lacked the most important points that should be present in it, namely: denunciation, condemnation, the formation of an investigative committee, and the repeated killing of American citizens by Israelis, whether soldiers or civilians.
This cold and neutral statement perfectly reflects the current US administration's general approach to the issue of settlements and settlers. Donald Trump invited settler leaders to his inauguration ceremony and greeted them. One of his first decisions upon entering the White House was to lift the sanctions imposed by Biden on a number of settlers. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich were also invited to Washington, where they were celebrated and honored. Furthermore, a religiously fanatical ambassador was appointed to Israel, who visited the Shiloh settlement and witnessed the red cows prepared to purify the Jewish population in preparation for the alleged construction of the Temple. This ambassador spoke in a language far removed from diplomacy or even respect for the public positions of previous US administrations. In addition, the current US administration has not condemned the widespread settlement activity currently taking place in the occupied West Bank, nor has it condemned the criminal acts carried out by settlers against Palestinian citizens.
A representative of the administration also met with the settler leaders, congratulated them, understood their positions, and encouraged others to meet with them as well, as if there was a desire to integrate them and prepare them for the coming stages. Anyone who only has two eyes cannot see that the settlers are now an unofficial arm for implementing an official policy aimed at annexation, displacement, and imposing a political and security solution on the West Bank. This was translated into what circles within the Likud Party and the settlement parties demanded, imposing sovereignty over the entire West Bank, exploiting the favorable political moment.
What is now being witnessed in terms of deepening settlement operations of all kinds and names and increasing the frequency of attacks on Palestinian villages and communities, is aimed at exploding the West Bank and luring the Palestinians into a square from which the settlers and the occupation government behind them will benefit in order to legitimize the annexation and officially declare it after they have actually established it on the ground. The settlers, who are no longer a marginal political body, do not hide their colonial goals, which are well-disguised with religious and theological claims. They have been able to control the current government in providing funding, protection, a legal structure, and political cover for the settlement and expulsion operations that have affected Area C and other parts of Area B as well. This means, among other things, that the settlement, as the settlers see it, and at least this government behind them, does not include a Palestinian state or even homogeneous self-rule. This assumes or requires bypassing the Palestinian National Authority, ignoring its role, and not dealing with it as if it does not exist. This Israeli position has found receptive ears in the current US administration, which has ignored the Palestinian Authority and has not dealt with or communicated with it, in a clear message that this administration It has abandoned all the commitments of previous US administrations. This administration even abandoned the two-state solution, saying it was just one option among others. While it's true that the US administration hasn't discussed the "Deal of the Century" in its previous form, it also hasn't acted on it or sent any signal indicating its desire to reach solutions in the occupied West Bank in particular.
The cold, neutral statement issued by the US State Department regarding the martyrdom of a Palestinian-American citizen reflects the nature of US policy toward the entire Palestinian people. It calls for the displacement of the Gaza Strip and the transformation of its ruins into a riviera, while supporting settlers in the West Bank and remaining silent about their crimes.
The overall picture, as presented, confirms what is said and written about the control of lobbies and pressure groups over American decision-making, at least with regard to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It is impossible to understand the American motives behind threatening the International Criminal Court, imposing sanctions on Ms. Albanese, using the veto against any attempt to cease fire in the Gaza Strip, and Trump’s retreat from his attempt to pressure Netanyahu during his last visit to Washington. To us, how weak and confused the White House appeared when it abandoned the opportunity to put an end to the insane war being waged against the Palestinian people.
Defending Israel and endorsing its positions in this manner not only harms the United States, its image, its values, and its people, but also harms international and humanitarian law. We call on the current US administration to review its positions and recognize the inalienable, inalienable, and undeniable rights of the Palestinian people. The first step to saving Israel from its predicament and madness is to recognize that there is a people called the Palestinian people.