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*Turmus Ayya, West Bank —* On April 6, 2025, 14-year-old Palestinian-American Amer Mohammad Sa'adeh Rabee was fatally shot by Israeli forces near his home in Turmus Ayya, a village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. According to eyewitness accounts and family statements, Amer and two friends were picking green almonds in an orchard adjacent to Route 60 when Israeli soldiers opened fire from approximately 20 meters away. Amer was struck 11 times, including wounds to his head, chest, and limbs, and died at the scene.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that the boys were throwing rocks at vehicles on the highway, posing a danger to civilians. The IDF released a brief, grainy video purportedly showing individuals hurling objects; however, the footage does not clearly identify the participants. Amer's family and local officials vehemently deny the IDF's account, asserting that the boys were unarmed and engaged in a common seasonal activity.
Amer was born in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, and held U.S. citizenship. His family had moved to Turmus Ayya, a town with a significant population of Palestinian-Americans, where Amer was attending high school. His father, Mohammed Rabee, recounted the harrowing experience of retrieving his son's body from an Israeli military base in Nablus, describing the extensive injuries and expressing disbelief over the labeling of his son as a terrorist.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, Palestinian-American communities, and U.S. lawmakers. The Palestinian American Community Center in Clifton, New Jersey, held a press conference demanding accountability and criticizing the U.S. government's muted response. [4] New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy called for transparency from Israeli authorities, emphasizing the tragic loss of life and the need for answers.
Human rights advocates have highlighted this case as part of a broader pattern of violence against Palestinian children in the occupied territories. Defense for Children International - Palestine reported that Amer's death underscores the vulnerability of Palestinian youth and the lack of accountability for Israeli military actions.
The U.S. State Department confirmed Amer's death and extended condolences but has yet to announce any formal investigation or policy response. Critics argue that the U.S. government's inaction reflects a double standard in addressing human rights violations involving American citizens abroad.
As Amer's family mourns, they continue to seek justice and accountability for the killing of their son, hoping that increased international attention will lead to meaningful action.
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