Violence against Palestinian Students in Vermont and Boston Sparks Outrage

Hisham Awartani, a Palestinian student studying in the U.S., was shot and severely injured while visiting family in Burlington, Vermont. His mother had thought he would be safer in the U.S. than in Palestine due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Two other Palestinian men were also injured in the shooting. Authorities have not determined if it was a hate crime, but the police chief stated that it may have been motivated by hate. The shooter has been arrested and pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges. Awartani's parents are now trying to travel to Vermont to be with their son.