**Father of Palestinian-American Teen Killed by Israeli Troops Speaks Out**
The father of Amer Rabee, a Palestinian-American teenager who was fatally shot by Israeli troops in the West Bank 16 months ago, has expressed his deep frustration with the U.S. government's response to his son's death. In an interview with RT correspondent Charlotte Dubenskij, Mohammed Rabee articulated his feelings of abandonment, stating that the family has received minimal support beyond initial condolences.
Amer Rabee, who was 14 years old at the time of his death, was born in New Jersey and moved with his family to Turmus Ayya, near Ramallah, in 2013. He maintained connections to both the United States and the West Bank, growing up with the belief that his American citizenship would provide him with a degree of protection.
“He was always thinking he’s American, so he’s protected. He’s free,” Mohammed Rabee recalled, emphasizing the tragic irony of his son's belief in the safety that citizenship should confer.
On April 6, 2025, Amer was shot in an olive grove outside his village, an incident that also left two of his friends wounded. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) characterized the teenagers as “terrorists,” alleging that they were throwing rocks at passing vehicles. However, Amer's family and the surviving friends dispute this narrative, asserting that the group was merely picking almonds and playfully tossing them at each other.
In the interview, Mohammed Rabee revealed the severity of his son's injuries, stating, “Many shots. He got 14 shots.” He further displayed the clothes Amer was wearing at the time of the incident, underscoring the traumatic impact of the event on his family.
Following Amer's death, the U.S. State Department confirmed the loss of an American citizen and extended condolences to the Rabee family. Additionally, Democratic Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker have called for a U.S.-led investigation into the circumstances surrounding Amer's killing. Despite these gestures, Mohammed Rabee expressed disappointment over the lack of substantive action since then.
He criticized U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee's recent comments about standing up for American citizens, regardless of their nationality, describing them as mere political theater. “Till now, no one [is] talking about Amer,” he said, reflecting his frustration with the perceived inaction. “He’s making a show… to show people that he’s helping American people, but we didn’t see that before.”
In memory of his son, Mohammed Rabee has taken steps to honor Amer's legacy by creating a small park dedicated to him. He continues to advocate for accountability regarding his son's death, seeking justice not only for Amer but also for other families affected by similar tragedies.
The Rabee family's experience highlights the complex and often fraught dynamics surrounding U.S. foreign policy in the region, particularly in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As they navigate their grief, the Rabee family remains steadfast in their pursuit of recognition and justice for Amer, hoping to shed light on the broader issues of violence and accountability in the area.
The story of Amer Rabee serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict, raising questions about the responsibilities of governments to protect their citizens, regardless of where they are in the world.