Israel probes police beating of youth in Jerusalem clashes (after the US State Department urged an investigation)

Israel's Justice Ministry has launched an investigation into the alleged beating of an Arab- American teenager by paramilitary policemen during clashes in Jerusalem, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

A video surfaced on the internet on Thursday, showing Tariq Khdeir, a 15-year-old American of Palestinian descent, badly beaten by two Israeli policemen during clashes in East Jerusalem.

Police said Tariq Abu Khdeir, who is suspected of throwing Molotov cocktails and rocks and of injuring an officer, resisted arrest.

The clashes erupted across the East Jerusalem after Tariq's second cousin, Mohammed Abu Khdeir (16), was found dead in a murder attributed by Palestinians to far-right Israelis.

• Israel's announcement came after the US State Department urged an investigation into the case on Saturday.

The United States is "profoundly troubled" by the reports and called for "a speedy, transparent and credible investigation and full accountability for any excessive use of force," State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Psaki added that Tariq was detained by the Israeli authorities and visited by an official from the US Consulate General on Saturday.

Meanwhile on Sunday morning, Jerusalem Magistrate's Court released Tariq from jail on bail. But he has to deposit NIS 3,000 in bail and not reside in Shuafat.
Sources: Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
6/7/14
--
--

• US "profoundly troubled" by Israeli police's beating of American citizen