The cousin of the teen told HuffPost: “You know exactly where your tax dollars are going. They’re being used to kill your brothers and sister.”
The teen’s cousin claimed to HuffPost,” You know where your tax money is going, and it is being used to go kill your brothers and sisters.” The teen’s cousin claimed to HuffPost,” You know where your tax money is going, and it is being used to go kill your brothers and sisters.”
The cousin of the teen told HuffPost: “You know exactly where your tax dollars are going. They’re being used to kill your brothers and sister.”
LOADINGERROR LOADING. The family of Tawfic Hafeth Abdeljabbar, the Palestinian American teen who was shot and killed in the West Bank last week, feel abandoned by their government.. Abdeljabbar, 17, was out with friends near al-Mazra’a Al Sharqiya village in Ramallah on Friday when Israeli settlers and military forces opened fire on his car, according to Defense for Children International-Palestine, an independent human rights organization specifically focused on child rights. It is still unclear who shot the bullets that killed him.. Advertisement. In Louisiana, Maher Salem, Abdeljabbar’s cousin, woke up Friday morning to condolences in a family WhatsApp chat. He kept scrolling up to see who had died. When he read his cousin’s name, he went into shock.. Relatives mourn 17-year-old American Tawfic Hafeth Abdeljabbar at his funeral in his family’s Palestinian home village in al-Mazra’a Al Sharqiya, West Bank, on Jan. 20. Abdeljabbar was killed Friday by Israeli fire, and police say they have launched an investigation.. Nasser Nasser/Associated Press. “I just lost my mind,” Salem said. “I don’t wish this on my worst enemy.”. Last year marked the deadliest on record for Palestinians in the West Bank. Before Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, Israeli forces had killed 234 Palestinians, including 124 children, in the West Bank, according to the United Nations — with settlers being responsible for nine of those killings. So far this year, Israeli forces have killed 12 Palestinian children, including Abdeljabbar, in the occupied West Bank, according to documentation collected by DCIP.. Abdeljabbar was born and raised in Gretna, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. He and his family moved to the West Bank to reconnect with their Palestinian roots in the summer of 2023.. Advertisement. Abdeljabbar’s mother holds a photo of the teen after he was killed in the West Bank.. Provided by family. “He’s a very bright and humble kid,” Salem said, adding that his cousin was an avid football fan and cheered on his local New Orleans teams.. “Everybody loves him and he loves everybody,” Salem said. “He doesn’t have any grudge against anybody. Nobody whatsoever.”. A State Department spokesperson told reporters on Monday that the U.S. government was “devastated about the killing.”. “We have called for an urgent investigation to determine the circumstance of his death and accountability be met as appropriate as well,” Vedant Patel said.. Advertisement. When reached for comment by HuffPost, the State Department said: “Chief of the Office of Palestinian Affairs George Noll had the opportunity to visit with the family and offer condolences, and will plan to continue to stay in touch with them over the course of this process over this tragic loss. Our embassy in Jerusalem also has been in touch with the family and is providing all appropriate consular services.”. But Salem said no member of Congress, or anyone from the White House, has reached out to the U.S.-based family since Abdeljabbar’s death, and that he believes the government should do more to advocate for Palestinian Americans and their families in the West Bank and Gaza.. “We expect our American government to do more, but they’re not doing anything,” Salem said. “I expect my American government and I expect my president to get up on TV and to tell Israel to stop what you’re doing and go back to the peace talks.”. During Abdeljabbar’s funeral in the West Bank on Saturday, the teen’s father sharply criticized the U.S.’s longstanding support for Israel.. “They are using our tax dollars in the U.S. to support the weapons to kill our own children,” he told The Associated Press.. Advertisement. Salem echoed that concern.. “It’s not a good feeling to know that you as an American citizen and you know where your tax money is going, and it’s being used to go kill your brothers and sisters, whether it’s in the Gaza or the West Bank,” he said.. Support HuffPost. The Stakes Have Never Been Higher. At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.. Our News, Politics and Culture teams invest time and care working on hard-hitting investigations and researched analyses, along with quick but robust daily takes. Our Life, Health and Shopping desks provide you with well-researched, expert-vetted information you need to live your best life, while HuffPost Personal, Voices and Opinion center real stories from real people.. Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.. At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.. Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the very foundations of our democracy are at stake. A vibrant democracy is impossible without well-informed citizens. This is why HuffPost’s journalism is free for everyone, not just those who can afford expensive paywalls.. We cannot do this without your help. Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $1 a month.. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the very foundations of our democracy are at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a vibrant democracy is impossible without well-informed citizens. This is why we keep our journalism free for everyone, even as most other newsrooms have retreated behind expensive paywalls.. Our newsroom continues to bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes on one of the most consequential elections in recent history. Reporting on the current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly — and we need your help.. Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $1 a month.. Support HuffPost. Related. PalestineWest BankPalestinian Americantawfic hafeth abdeljabbar
