Gay Palestinian Man Found Brutally Murdered
A gay man who fled Palestine for asylum in Israel has been found brutally murdered.Trigger Warning: This story discusses the brutal murder of a gay man, which might be distressing to some readers. For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.On October 5, the dismembered and decapitated body of Ahmad Abu Murkhiyeh, 25, was found in the Palestinian city of Hebron.In a report from the Associated Press, Palestinian police disclosed that Abu Murkhiyeh’s body was found near his family’s house.A spokesperson for the Palestinian police said that an acquaintance of the victim has been arrested in connection with the killing but no motive has been announced. According to Rita Petrenko, founder of Israeli gay rights organisation Al Bait Al Mokhtalef, Abu Murkhiyeh left Palestine two years ago after he was outed and feared for his life. In an interview with the Associated Press, Petrenko revealed, “He told me people not only in his family but in the village wanted to kill him,” Petrenko continued, “He was scared of his brothers, his uncles, his cousins.”According to Mako, his friends claim that he was abducted.