WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) introduced a Senate Resolution condemning anti-Palestinian hatred and violence. The resolution was unveiled on the second anniversary of an attack that injured Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, college students who were shot in Burlington. 

On November 25, 2023, Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad were shot and badly injured in an unprovoked attack, simply for speaking in Arabic and wearing a traditional Palestinian scarf. The three students were visiting family in Burlington for the Thanksgiving holiday. All three victims were injured in the unprovoked attack and Mr. Awartani was paralyzed.  

Senator Welch released the following statement on the second anniversary of the attack on Mr. Awartani, Mr. Abdalhamid, and Mr. Ali Ahmad in Burlington: 

“After the shocking attack in Burlington against Hisham, Kinnan, and Tahseen, Vermonters came together to condemn violence and declare that our state will not tolerate hate in any form. I’m proud that Vermonters have continued to come together to advocate for peace. Threats made against Palestinian Americans are on the rise across the country, and the United States Congress must speak with one voice to condemn anti-Palestinian hate, antisemitism, and violence against anyone on account of their race, religion, or ethnicity.” 

The resolution condemns hateful language, bias, hate, intimidation, and threats to life and safety. The resolution also mourns those killed an injured in the United States by anti-Palestinian violence since the beginning of the war in Gaza, including the attack on Mr. Awartani, Mr. Abdalhamid, and Mr. Ali Ahmad; and on Wadea al-Fayoume, a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy in Illinois killed by his family’s landlord. 

Read the Senate Resolution below and download it here:  

“Whereas on November 25, 2023, three college students were shot while walking down a street in Burlington, Vermont, where they were visiting family for Thanksgiving; 

“Whereas all three victims were grievously injured, including one who was paralyzed; 

“Whereas Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad were attacked simply for wearing a scarf using a traditional Palestinian pattern and speaking in Arabic;  

“Whereas Palestinian communities across the United States and the Middle East have suffered growing threats and acts of violence and prejudice linked to anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim hatred during the war in Gaza;  

“Whereas no individual in the United States should be subjected to violence or intimidation because of their religion, ethnicity, heritage, or expressions of identity; 

  Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Senate— 

“1.) Mourns those killed and injured in the United States by anti-Palestinian violence since the beginning of the war in Gaza, including the murder of Wadea al-Fayoume in Plainfield Township, Illinois, and the violent attack on Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad in Burlington, Vermont;  

“2.) Decries the bias, hatred, and threats to life and safety experienced by many Palestinian Americans during the two-year conflict in Gaza;  

“3.) Condemns hateful language that– 

“ a. advocates for the removal of Palestinians from Israel or the Palestinian territories;  

“b. suggests that Palestinians should move to other countries;  

“c. denies the existence, cultural traditions, or right to a state of the Palestinian people; and  

“4.) Commends community leaders in the United States, Israel, and the West Bank and Gaza who have spoken out against hateful language and urged peace and mutual respect between different communities, religions, and traditions.” 

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