Ahmad Abu Murkhiyeh (1996/1997–2022) was a Palestinian man from Hebron whose murder, believed to be an anti-LGBT hate crime, drew international attention and condemnation.[1][2][3]

Asylum in Israel

Abu Murkhiyeh was born in Hebron, in the West Bank. He was reported to have feared for his life due to his sexual orientation, which is stigmatized in the conservative Palestinian territories. He had cut off contact with his family after alleging he was frequently beaten by relatives in Hebron before escaping.[2][4]

Abu Murkhiyeh sought asylum in Israel two years prior to his death. His family allege he had been living between Hebron and with his father in Jordan, though this is disputed. After numerous death threats he was granted a humanitarian permit to remain in Israel. In Israel, he was supported by LGBTQ organizations and shelters and successfully applied for asylum In Canada, where he reportedly was to resettle in late 2022. Israel did not recognize his refugee status, and he faced restrictions including a ban on work[1][2][5] (a change in regulations allowing work permits for Palestinians in his situation was implemented in June 2022).[6]

Death

On October 6th 2022, at the age of 25, Abu Murkhiyeh was found decapitated near his family's house in Hebron, West Bank. His murder was captured on video and shared on social media by the suspected killer. The motive for the killing was under investigation, with a Palestinian acquaintance of Abu Murkhiyeh arrested as a suspect.[1][7]

Aftermath and reactions

The nature of his death and the subsequent sharing of images on social media led to widespread media coverage and public attention,[1][2] as well as discussions regarding the safety of LGBTQ individuals in the Palestinian society.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Debre, Isabel (2022-10-07). "Shock, questions after gruesome killing of gay Palestinian". Associated Press. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Ghastly beheading lays bare the myriad perils for LGBT Palestinians fleeing to Israel". The Times of Israel.
  3. ↑ "Gay Palestinian Man Brutally Murdered While Awaiting Asylum". Haaretz. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  4. ↑ "Gay Palestinian living in Israel under asylum beheaded in West Bank". i24NEWS. 7 October 2022.
  5. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221109133454/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-10-06/ty-article/.premium/gay-palestinian-man-brutally-murdered-while-awaiting-asylum/00000183-aef3-d0e7-a7a3-fef343f70000
  6. ↑ "Israel to allow LGBT Palestinians granted temporary asylum to work | The Times of Israel".
  7. ↑ Debre, Isabel (October 10, 2022). "Shock, questions after gruesome killing of gay Palestinian". Sydney Morning Herald.
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