US condemns killing of Palestinian by Israeli settler, urges ‘transparent’ probe

The US strongly condemns the alleged killing of a Palestinian by an Israeli settler over the weekend in the northern West Bank and calls for an investigation into the incident.

“We strongly condemn the shooting of Methkal Rayyan by an Israeli settler from the illegal Havat Yair outpost in Salfit,” the US Office of Palestinian Affairs tweets, making a point of highlighting the suspect’s residence in an illegal outpost.

“We have seen reports that the Israeli police are investigating the incident, and note that Israel has responsibility for security in the areas it controls,” the office adds.

“We urge a thorough and transparent investigation of the shooting that leads to accountability and prevents future settler violence,” the statement continues. The Biden administration has increasingly taken issue with the lack of accountability for incidents of settler violence, with suspects rarely arrested and even more rarely prosecuted.

“As Secretary Antony Blinken said last month, all sides must take steps to prevent further escalation in violence and restore calm,” the US office adds.