GRETNA, La. — One week after the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Tawfic Abdeljabbar in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian American community in the New Orleans area is grieving and demanding justice. The teen, a native of a New Orleans suburb, was killed by Israeli security forces near the village of Al-Mazra’a Ash-Sharqiya. His tragic death has left friends, family, and the community in shock and anger.
Described as a larger-than-life and humorous individual by his former civics teacher, Abdeljabbar’s untimely death has sparked a cry for accountability and a thorough investigation. His friends and classmates have been grappling with disbelief and grief, requiring hours of counseling and comfort to come to terms with the tragedy.
The official details of Abdeljabbar’s death remain unclear, but his family and a witness claim that Israeli fire targeted the vehicle he was driving in with a friend. The incident has prompted a call for a full investigation by National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, who offered his condolences to the family and urged Israel to conduct a thorough inquiry.
Abdeljabbar’s family moved to the West Bank last May to reconnect with their Palestinian roots and culture, a decision not uncommon among families. The teen had plans to return to the U.S. to pursue a degree in engineering at the University of New Orleans, but sadly, those dreams will never come to fruition.
The lack of response from local and national officials and the apparent silence from public figures in light of Abdeljabbar’s death has left the Palestinian American community feeling isolated and ignored. Nabil Abukhader, president of the Masjid Omar Mosque, expressed frustration at the lack of outreach from leaders, questioning the level of attention the case would receive if the victim were of a different race or lived in a different country.
With concerns about discrimination and the need for justice echoing throughout the community, there is a growing demand for awareness and an end to the cycle of violence. The tragic loss of Abdeljabbar has drawn attention to the ongoing conflict in the region, leading to vigil gatherings, marches, and a memorial motorcade in his honor.
As the community mourns, there is a resounding hope for his death to bring awareness to the situation and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. Amid the grief, there is a call for peace for all individuals affected by the conflict, a sentiment felt deeply by those who loved and knew Tawfic Abdeljabbar.