US: ’Israel’ Targeting Kin of Murdered Palestinian Teen

Local Editor

The United States on Wednesday charged "Israel" had targeted members of a Palestinian family whose teenaged son was kidnapped and murdered in July along with two cousins, who are US citizens.

On July 2, the 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir was snatched from an Occupied east al-Quds street and later found burned alive.

Three days after his death, on July 5, the United States slammed "Israel's" arrest of a 15-year-old cousin, Tarek Abu Khder, 15, a US citizen. He was beaten in detention and has since been freed and returned to Florida.

On July 28, another cousin of Abu Khdeir, also American, was arrested in "Israel" as well, the State Department said Wednesday.

Deputy Spokeswoman Marie Harf identified him as "Mohammed Abou Khdeir," which would mean his name is the same as his martyred cousin's.

"We can confirm that Mohammed Abu Khdeir, a US citizen, was arrested on July 28. The US consulate general 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 said.

Yet "we are concerned that the US consulate general in "Jerusalem" [al-Quds] 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 added.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team