Father of Palestinian-American Teen Killed by Israeli Troops Accuses US of Abandonment
Quick Look
Mohammed Rabee, father of 14-year-old Palestinian-American Amer Rabee shot dead by Israeli troops in the West Bank in April 2023, told RT that his son believed his U.S. citizenship would protect him, criticized U.S. response as insufficient condolences, and said no meaningful action has followed despite pledges from officials, while continuing to seek accountability and having built a memorial park in his son's name.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Amer Rabee, a 14-year-old Palestinian-American born in New Jersey, split his time between the U.S. and the West Bank, where his family moved in 2013. He was killed in April 2023 while in an olive grove near Turmus Ayya, with Israeli troops claiming he and friends were throwing rocks at a highway, a claim denied by his family and surviving friends who said they were picking and tossing almonds for fun.
The grieving father of Palestinian-American teenager Amer Rabee, who was shot dead by Israeli troops in the West Bank 16 months ago, has accused Washington of abandoning his family after offering little more than condolences.
Speaking to RT correspondent Charlotte Dubenskij, Mohammed Rabee said his 14-year-old son had grown up believing that his American citizenship offered him protection.
“He was always thinking he’s American, so he’s protected. He’s free,” he said.
Amer was born in New Jersey before his family moved to Turmus Ayya, near Ramallah, in 2013. He continued to split his time between the US and the West Bank.
He was killed on April 6, 2025, in an olive grove outside the village. Two friends were also wounded.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the teenagers had been throwing rocks at a highway and described them as “terrorists.” Amer’s family and the surviving boys deny the claim, saying they had been picking almonds and tossing them at each other for fun.
Mohammed told RT that his son had been repeatedly shot. “Many shots. He got 14 shots,” he said, later showing Dubenskij the clothes Amer was wearing when he died.
The US State Department confirmed the death of an American citizen and offered condolences, while Democratic Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker called for a US-led investigation.
But Mohammed says little has happened since. He dismissed US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee’s recent pledge to “stand for American citizens, whether Israeli or Palestinian” as political theater.
“Till now, no one [is] talking about Amer,” he said. “He’s making a show… to show people that he’s helping American people, but we didn’t see that before.”
Amer’s father has since built a small park in his son’s memory and continues to press for accountability.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
U.S. Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker will continue to push for a formal U.S.-led investigation into Amer Rabee's killing.
Likely · Within months
Mohammed Rabee will continue advocating for accountability and maintaining the memorial park in his son's name.
Certain · Within months
Open Questions
- Will the U.S. launch an independent investigation into Amer Rabee's killing?
- What accountability measures, if any, will be pursued regarding the use of force by Israeli troops?
- How will this incident affect U.S.-Israel relations concerning the protection of dual nationals?
- Are there ongoing efforts to investigate the IDF's characterization of the victims as terrorists?
