Awartani’s mother, Elizabeth Price, revealed his health condition to CNN and announced a GoFundMe fundraiser to help him with his rehabilitation.
“We believe Hisham will face all of this with the same determination as he did last week. The funds will help cover the costs of his rehabilitation, his family’s air travel and the costs of adapting to his new reality,” he said.
Awartani and two of his West Bank friends, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, were shot in Burlington as they walked and spoke English and Arabic. Two of them wore “Kufiyas,” the traditional Palestinian scarf.
Awartani’s companions were shot in the torso and legs and taken to intensive care, but both have since been discharged.
The suspect, 48yearold Jason J. Eaton, was arrested the day after the shooting and charged with three counts of attempted murder after pleading not guilty. Police are investigating a possible hate crime.
Price explained that any remaining proceeds would go to other Palestinians who are more vulnerable and “much less fortunate than himself.”
“We ask for solidarity from all those who have suffered, as we know that the dehumanization of a human being results in violent hatred,” he added.
The United Nations condemned the attack on three young men on Tuesday.
“We condemn this violence. (…) Although it is still under investigation, (…) the signs of hatred are probably quite obvious and there is no place for hatred and fanaticism against Islam and any other form of hatred,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the United Nations SecretaryGeneral António Guterres at a press conference.
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