UN condemns shooting of Palestinian students in US state of Vermont

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The UN on Tuesday condemned the shooting of three Palestinian students in the US state of Vermont last weekend.

"We condemn this violence," said spokesman Stephane Dujarric at a news conference.

Dujarric extended his wishes for the "rapid recovery" of the victims.

The motive behind the attack is currently under investigation.

"While there is investigation still going on, I think, the signs of hatred (are) probably fairly apparent and there is absolutely no room for any anti-Islam hate and bigotry and any other form of hate," added Dujarric.

The students, who were shot late Saturday, have been identified as Hisham Awartani, a student at Brown University; Kinnan Abdalhamid, a student at Haverford College and Tahseen Ahmad, a student at Trinity College.

The 20-year-old students were shot while walking in Burlington where they were to take part in a Thanksgiving celebration hosted by Awartani's family. Two of the students are US citizens, while the third is reportedly a permanent resident.

Police identified the suspected shooter as Jason Eaton, 48, who was taken into custody Sunday. He has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, each of which carries the possibility of life in prison. Eaton has reportedly pleaded not guilty.

The students were speaking Arabic and wearing keffiyehs when they were shot, according to Abed Ayoub, the executive director of the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee.

The keffiyeh is a scarf worn in parts of the Arab world.