US Senate blocks resolution seeking justice for citizens killed in West Bank

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The resolution failed 47-53 on Tuesday, with senators voting largely along party lines.

It was brought by Senator Chris Van Hollen, who cited a “lack of accountability” from Israel’s government and an “inability to secure justice” from the US.

Mr Van Hollen forced the vote under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which allows members of Congress to demand a State Department report on the human rights practices of countries that receive US security assistance.

After the vote, he pledged to continue pressing for justice.

The resolution called for an unclassified report within 30 days detailing investigations into the deaths of the Americans, the treatment of US citizens in Israeli prisons, and conditions facing Palestinian children in Israeli military detention.

It cited the deaths of nine US citizens since January 2022, including journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot in the head in Jenin in May 2022, activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, killed by an Israeli soldier in September 2024, and Sayfollah Kamel Musallet, beaten to death by settlers in July 2025.

It also noted the arrests of Palestinian-American children, among them 16-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim, held for nine months. 

US officials told his family he had lost nearly a quarter of his body weight, contracted scabies, and was beaten and tortured.

The resolution cited rights groups documenting the deaths of at least 44 Palestinians in Israeli military camps since October 2023 and widespread abuses, including beatings, sexual violence and threats, “pointing to systemic and deliberate mistreatment.”

It also noted that there have been no convictions for the increased settler killings of Palestinian civilians since 2020.

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