Family of Philadelphia-born teen killed in West Bank urges national investigation

Relatives of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a 19-year-old Palestinian American from Philadelphia, are calling for federal authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding his shooting death.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The family of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a 19-year-old Palestinian American from Philadelphia who was shot and killed in the West Bank, is calling for a national investigation into his death. Siyam's relatives, along with local leaders, say U.S. officials must demand accountability and that the State Department should act. They note that other Palestinian Americans have died in the region without any investigations or accountability. Philadelphia City Councilmembers have introduced a resolution calling for transparency, and Pennsylvania's governor has asked the Department of Justice to investigate Siyam's killing as a potential violation of U.S. law.

Why it matters

The death of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a U.S. citizen, in the West Bank has raised concerns about the lack of accountability for similar incidents involving Palestinian Americans in the region. The family's calls for a national investigation highlight the need for the U.S. government to address these cases and ensure justice for its citizens killed abroad.

The details

Siyam, who was born in Philadelphia and spent his early childhood in the city, had moved to the West Bank as a young boy. His family says he was helping a neighbor protect goats in his village when he was shot to death by Israeli settlers. They want the killing investigated, noting that other Palestinian Americans have died in the region without any accountability.

  • Nasrallah Abu Siyam was killed on February 18, 2026.
  • Since February 2024, five Palestinian Americans have been killed in the region without any investigations or accountability.

The players

Nasrallah Abu Siyam

A 19-year-old Palestinian American from Philadelphia who was shot and killed in the West Bank.

Ahmet Tekelioglu

A representative of the Council on American Islamic Relations who is calling for federal authorities to investigate Siyam's death.

Abdelhamid Siyam

Nasrallah Abu Siyam's cousin, who says that five Palestinian Americans have been killed in the region without any investigations or accountability.

Rue Landau

A Philadelphia City Councilmember who introduced a resolution calling for transparency and accountability in Siyam's death.

Nicholas O'Rourke

A Philadelphia City Councilmember who introduced a resolution calling for transparency and accountability in Siyam's death.

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What they’re saying

“The State Department should act, and all of our elected officials here should be raising their voices in the face of this injustice.”

— Ahmet Tekelioglu, Council on American Islamic Relations (6abc.com)

“This is not the first Palestinian American killed, like five of them since February 2024. None of them have been investigated. None of them have been held accountable. None of them have been questioned.”

— Abdelhamid Siyam, Cousin of Nasrallah Abu Siyam (6abc.com)

“When an American citizen is killed abroad, there must be accountability.”

— Rue Landau, Philadelphia City Councilmember (6abc.com)

What’s next

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice asking for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Nasrallah Abu Siyam's death, saying his killing may have been a violation of U.S. law.

The takeaway

The death of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a U.S. citizen, in the West Bank has highlighted the need for the U.S. government to address cases of Palestinian Americans killed in the region and ensure justice and accountability for these incidents.