New York, NY, July 17, 2014 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today noted the indictment of three suspects in the kidnapping and brutal killing of Palestinian teen Muhammad Hussein Abu Khdeir, and welcomed the official Israeli government recognition of him as a victim of terror.
“We commend the Israeli justice system for moving expeditiously to indict and commence the prosecution of the three individuals who are believed to have perpetrated this shocking and hateful crime which Israelis across the spectrum strongly condemned,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “It is further important and entirely appropriate that Muhammad Abu Khdeir has been designated by the Ministry of Defense as a ‘victim of hostile action,’ which is a highly significant designation given to all Israelis who are victims of terrorism.”
Mr. Foxman added, “The hateful attack on Muhammad was indeed a despicable act of terrorism.”
Muhammad’s body was found in the Jerusalem Forest on July 2. The three Israel Jewish suspects are believed to have carried out this heinous attack in revenge for the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens, Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Shaar and Eyal Yifrach, whose funerals were held on July 1. Two of the defendants were also charged with other acts of vandalism and violence, including the attempted kidnapping of a seven-year old Palestinian boy.