US says Israel targeted Abu Khdeir family

The US is concerned that Israel targeted family members of slain Palestinian teen Muhammed Abu Khdeir, including two who are American citizens, during protests following his death, a State Department spokesperson says.

Khdeir was kidnapped and burned alive by Jewish extremists on July 2, in an apparent revenge attack for the killing of three Israeli teenagers whose bodies were found in the West Bank two days earlier. The incident sparked protests and riots in East Jerusalem, where Khdeir’s 15-year-old cousin, Tarek Abu Khdeir, a US citizen, was arrested on July 5 and allegedly beaten in detention. He has since been freed and returned to Florida.

The US slammed the actions of Israeli security forces and called for an investigation in to the matter.

On July 28, another cousin of Abu Khder, also American, was arrested in Israel as well, the State Department says.

Deputy Spokeswoman Marie Harf identified him as “Mohammed Abu Khdeir.”

“We can confirm that Mohammed Abu Khdeir, a US citizen, was arrested on July 28. The US consulate general in Jerusalem is providing consular assistance. A consular official visited him on August 14th. The consulate is also in contact with Mr. Khdeir’s family and his lawyer,” Harf says.

Yet “we are concerned that the US consulate general in Jerusalem was not notified of his arrest by the government of Israel.”

And “we are also concerned about the fact that members of the Khdeir family appeared to be singled out for arrest by the Israeli authorities,” Harf adds.

Israel has charged three people for the murder of Muhammed Abu Khdeir and all have reportedly confessed to the crime.

— AFP