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CONGRESSMAN LIEU STATEMENT ON MURDER OF 13-YEAR-OLD AMERICAN ISRAELI GIRL

July 5, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement regarding the murder of 13-year-old American Israeli Hallel Ariel on June 29, 2016.

“There are few things more tragic than the death of a child, but among them is the brutal murder of a child in the supposed safety of her own bedroom. As the father of two young boys, I am horrified by the death of 13-year-old American Israeli Hallel Ariel, whose friends and family described as an avid reader who loved to dance.

In the aftermath of this evil, savage act, we are left wondering how the family and community of the 17-year-old Palestinian terrorist could praise him as a martyr rather than grieve the path he chose, or how the Palestinian Authority could pay his family a monthly stipend as a reward. These conspiratorial actions by the terrorist's Palestinian family and the Palestinian Authority are unacceptable and must be condemned as actions that embolden and perpetuate terrorism.

No teenager is born to hate, let alone motivated to sneak into a young girl’s bedroom and stab her to death. No one is born believing resistance means shooting up a crowded restaurant or a car filled with a young family—two events that have taken place in recent weeks. For all those who care about peace, combating an environment that breeds such incitement should be a top priority.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Hallel, and all the victims of these recent terror attacks. May their memories be a blessing.”