Muhammad Abu Khdeir, a 16 year old Arab resident of the Jerusalem suburb of Shuafat who was kidnapped and brutally murdered by a gang of three, has been officially recognized by the Defense Ministry as a victim of terror. Abu Khdeir’s burnt body was found in the Jerusalem Forest on the other side of the capital within hours after his parents reported him missing.
According to findings from the investigation into the attack that ended his life, Abu Khdeir was killed in revenge for the deaths of three Israeli teens who were kidnapped in Gush Etzion and murdered by Hamas terrorists. The boys’ bodies were found just one day before the Arab youth was kidnapped and killed.
“The decision was made as a result of the indictment brought today against the defendants in the murder of the youth, and the findings from the investigation which point to the nationalistic motive of his murder,” said Jonathan Mosery, Defense Ministry spokesman.
Arabs across the country rioted,attacking Jews, destroying property and tearing apart municipal installations and infrastructure for days following the murder. They have since continued the violence by celebrating Gaza terrorism in Arab neighborhoods and in some cases on work sites where they are employed whenever Hamas terrorists launch rocket and missile attacks at Israel.