GRETNA, La. — Palestinian Americans in the New Orleans area are reeling from the killing of a 17-year-old while he was visiting family in the occupied West Bank. Tawfic Abdeljabbar, a bright and beloved student from a New Orleans suburb, was fatally shot near the village of Al-Mazra’a Ash-Sharqiya on Jan. 19. His death has left the community in mourning, with grief and anger still palpable a week after the tragic event.
Abdeljabbar’s former civics teacher, Sherean Murad, described him as a larger-than-life personality, loved by all who knew him. His untimely death has left his friends and classmates devastated, with counselors spending hours consoling them. Nonetheless, many within the Muslim Academy community are frustrated with what they see as a lack of response from local and national officials.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby has offered condolences to the family and called on Israel to conduct a full investigation into Abdeljabbar’s death. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, with his family alleging that Israeli fire targeted the vehicle he was driving in while on his way to a picnic. This incident has further fuelled the community’s grief and anger.
The Palestinian American community in Jefferson Parish is feeling isolated and ignored, with some members expressing disappointment at the lack of attention from local leaders. Nabil Abukhader, president of the local Masjid Omar Mosque, emphasized the need for proper attention and respect for Abdeljabbar, who was a promising young American of Palestinian descent. The absence of outreach from local leaders has left many feeling marginalized and overlooked in the wake of such a tragedy.
The underlying tensions in the region have been exacerbated by the tragedy, with at least three large marches in New Orleans showing solidarity with the Palestinian community since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. A motorcade in honor of Abdeljabbar has been planned, with the community coming together to demand a cease-fire in Gaza.
The anguish caused by Abdeljabbar’s death has not been in vain, as it has brought the community together in solidarity. Despite the heartache, there is a shared hope for peace and an end to the cycle of violence. The impact of Abdeljabbar’s life continues to resonate, with his classmates considering adding his name to their senior jacket as a lasting tribute to his memory.