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Israeli President Rivlin visits family of Arab-Israeli teen shot dead at Egyptian border

“We are all equal in this country, and there is no difference between a child from Lakiya or from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or Haifa,” Rivlin stated.

President Reuven Rivlin on Thursday paid a condolence visit to the family of Nimer Abu Amar, who was killed by shots fired on the Israeli-Egyptian border earlier this week.

“We are all citizens of the same country, we have come to share in your profound grief,” Rivlin told the family, Bedouin Israeli residents in the South.

The victim, 15, employed as a contractor for the Defense Ministry, was conducting maintenance work on the border fence when shot. Critics are asking why such a young person would be stationed at such a dangerous location.

“We are all equal in this country, and there is no difference between a child from Lakiya or from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or Haifa. The Ministry of Defense treats a child from Lakiya in exactly the same way as it would any other child, and we will check and follow closely after this tragic incident,” the president said during the visit.

“I have confidence that the Ministry of Defense will pursue justice and investigate the issue,” the father, Bassam Abu Amar, responded, adding that “we are in great pain, we are mourning our firstborn.”

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Nimer’s uncle Fares Abu Amar, said, “We have been working with the security establishment for generations and we will continue to serve the country and work along the borders. We are confident that the Ministry of Defense will investigate and draw the necessary conclusions. Our child is yours as well as ours – there is no question about that.”

Rivlin  embraced  the family upon leaving, vowing that the relevant officials will continue the investigation.

By: World Israel News Staff