Hidalgo condemns murder of 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy in suburban Chicago

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo expressed outrage over the murder of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in a Chicago suburb heavily populated by those of Palestinian descent. The child, Wadea Al-Fayoume, was allegedly stabbed to death by his family’s landlord in Bridgeview, IL.

“I strongly condemn the act of hate that killed a Palestinian 6-year-old [and] gravely injured his mother in Illinois,” Hidalgo, a Democrat, said in an Oct. 17 post on X. “There is no place for this hate anywhere.”

Hidalgo added that Harris County’s strengths are in its diversity and tolerance. "We must hold fast to those values even in light of current events," she said in the post.

According to a report from The Associated Press (AP), authorities allege the suspect – identified as Joseph Czuba – was upset about the events in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Czuba attacked the boy and his mother after the latter suggested they pray for peace, authorities said.

With its huge Palestinian population, Bridgeview has people who remember Wadea as a child who was full of energy.

The child was laid to rest on Oct. 16 with mourners occasionally draping his casket with the Palestinian flag. The war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas began on Oct. 7 when the latter launched a surprise assault against the West Asian nation of approximately 9 million people, killing hundreds and kidnapping dozens.

The AP reported that the Justice Department is investigating the attack on Wadea and his mother as a hate crime.