US officials issued a stern warning to Israel Saturday over the treatment of a Tampa, Fla., teenager.
“We can confirm that Tariq Khdeir, an American citizen, is being held by Israeli authorities in Jerusalem,” said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki. “We are profoundly troubled by reports that he was severely beaten while in police custody and strongly condemn any excessive use of force. We are calling for a speedy, transparent and credible investigation and full accountability for any excessive use of force.”
Tariq, 15, was visiting for the funeral of his cousin, 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir, who was burned alive in a suspected revenge killing over the slaying of three Israeli teens.
The vicious slaying sparked skirmishes and violent protests even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring Abu Khdeir’s killers to justice.
Tariq Khdeir was arrested during protests before the victim’s funeral. The boy resisted arrest, attacked officers and was carrying a slingshot, police said. His parents denied those claims. A video was released Saturday showing Israeli police allegedly hitting and kicking Tariq.
Violence spread into Arab towns such as Qalansawe, where protesters stopped a car driven by an Israeli Jew, pulled him out and set the vehicle on fire.