New York, NY, July 6, 2014 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said it was "outraged and horrified" by the apparent despicable revenge killing of a Palestinian youth and commended Israeli police for the arrest earlier today of six Jewish extremist suspects in connection with the crime.
Sixteen-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir was kidnapped from his East Jerusalem neighborhood on July 2 and his beaten and mutilated body was found in the Jerusalem Forest hours later. Reports indicate he was burned alive. Police say the initial investigation has determined the Palestinian youth was murdered by Israeli Jewish extremists in an act of revenge for the abduction and murder of three Israeli teens, who were buried on July 1 after their bodies were recovered in the West Bank.
Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:
We are outraged and horrified that this heinous attack is believed to have been carried out by Israeli Jewish extremists, who sought out and brutally murdered an innocent Palestinian teen.
Unbridled extremist hatred was behind the kidnapping and murder of Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaar and Eyal Yifrach, who are mourned around the world. We cannot shirk from the recognition that unbridled, extremist hatred may have led to the kidnapping and murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir as well. The Israeli authorities must fully investigate this crime and prosecute all those responsible for this murder to the fullest extent of the law.
Only a full investigation and vigorous criminal prosecution will ensure justice for Mohammed Abu Khdeir, while sending a message to anyone else who might consider such an act that extremism, vigilantism and revenge killings will not be tolerated in Israeli society and are anathema to Jewish values.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mohammed.