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Family of Tarek Abu Khdeir calls for his immediate release after brutal beating and arbitrary arrest


Video of Tarek Abu Khdeir being attacked by Israeli police from Channel 4.

Yesterday Annie posted on Tarek Abu Khdeir, a 15-year-old Palestinian-American from Tampa, Florida who is currently being held without charge by Israeli authorities. Here is more information about his case that was released by his family:

Following the abduction and murder of 16-year-old Mohammad Abu Khdeir in Jerusalem, his cousin, 15-year-old Tarek Abu Khdeir, a Palestinian-American child in Jerusalem on holiday from Tampa, Florida is in Israeli detention after being beaten by two undercover Israeli police agents last night.

Tarek Abu Khdeir before his injuries. (Photo provided and published with consent from the Abu Khdeir family)
Tarek Abu Khdeir before his injuries. (Photo provided and published with consent from the Abu Khdeir family)

Despite needing critical medical attention for severe injuries to his head and face, the Israeli authorities denied medical treatment for 5 hours before he was transferred to Hadassa Hospital. He was then taken directly to court and is currently in detention at the notorious Russian Compound (al-Maskobiya), known for its harsh interrogations.

His father, Salah Abu Khdeir, asked that his son be seen at a hospital of the family’s choosing, but was denied, and was subsequently denied having an Arab doctor present during Tarek’s treatment. Although his son was unconscious, he was chained to the bed. While in the hospital, his face had swollen to a degree to which he could not speak when conscious and blood was also found in his urine, concerning family that there could be internal bleeding.

He has not yet been formally charged, though prosecutors claim he was throwing stones despite being unable to provide any evidence to the court.  When asked by the court under what basis Tarek was being held, prosecutors said they were still “collecting evidence.”  His hearing is scheduled for Sunday.

Tarek is in dire need of medical attention and his family is calling for his immediate release after this brutal beating and arbitrary arrest.

Tarek Abu Khdeir following his injuries. (Photo provided and published with consent from the Abu Khdeir family)
Tarek Abu Khdeir following his injuries. (Photo provided and published with consent from the Abu Khdeir family)

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I also read that he speaks little Arabic and no Hebrew. More Israeli cruelty on full display.

http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/rania-khalek/israel-holds-us-boy-without-charge-after-police-nearly-beat-him-death

Where is our State Department/US ambassador??? Still chowing down on kosher hotdogs? Oh wait, here’s an article about clan Shapiro/Fisher just yesterday!

“Modern family in the U.S. ambassador’s residence ”

http://www.haaretz.com/news/features/.premium-1.602885

Tweeted to @JohnKerry. The difference in effort expended by our US Secretary of State between AbuKhdeir (someone he can help) and Frenkel (someone he couldn’t help) is simply astonishing.

@rz
you should specify which abuKhdeir so there is no confusion about which one you mean Kerry could offer help to (even if it seems obvious to you)

My local congressperson, Barbara Lee, supports “robust military aid” to Israel (according to J Street PAC, from where she is getting sizable campaign donations to spend on unspecified “expenses”). She also, without intended irony, calls herself a “renegade for peace and justice”. The truth is that this military aid is being used to injure Americans. While Barbara Lee is certainly not alone, indeed here, she is a “complete conformist for war and oppression”, i wonder if Lee or any other congressperson will say anything about this treatment of an American citizen.

RT is broadcasting the video of Tarek’s brutal beating, they bring up the Nakba murders, and the results of Mohammed’s autopsy that “he was burned alive”, then shows the protests……..

Thanks, RT.