TAMPA, FLORIDA // The Palestinian-American teenager who relatives allege was beaten by Israeli authorities returned home to Florida late Wednesday, saying he will never think of freedom in the same way again.
Tariq Abu Khdeir, 15, and his mother flew back to Tampa on a flight arriving from New York and were greeted by about 50 cheering supporters waving American and Palestinian flags. The Khdeirs had flown out of Israel earlier in the day.
“I am only 15 but I will never think of freedom the same as I did two months ago,” Tariq said upon arrival at Tampa International Airport.
“No child, whether they are Palestinian or Israeli, deserves to die.”
The teenager said the thoughts and prayers of the supporters had helped him, adding “I got through these past two weeks because I knew you were all thinking of me.”
Now, he said, he just wanted some relaxation and time with friends.
“It feels so good to be back in Tampa. Can I even put it in words? I can’t wait to go back to play with my friends and go fishing,” he said.
Hassan Shibly, the teen’s attorney and the executive director of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Monday that Tariq suffered head trauma and had to receive stitches on his face when he was beaten two weeks ago as he was arrested during a protest while vacationing in Jerusalem.
Supporters say Tariq’s beating was videotaped. The Israeli justice ministry said they are investigating the footage.
Bruises on Traiq’s face that had spurred a probe into complaints he was beaten while in Israeli police custody were visibly faded.
Israeli authorities released Tariq shortly after his arrest and sentenced him to nine days of house arrest while they investigated what they say was his participation in violent protests over the death of his cousin, 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir.
His family denied that he participated in the protests. Palestinians believe Mohammed Abu Khdeir was killed by Israeli extremists exacting revenge for the abduction and killings of three Israeli teens in the West Bank last month.
His mother, Suha Khdeir, said on Wednesday in Tampa that the last two weeks had been a “nightmare.” She wiped tears from her eyes, and said, “I cannot begin to describe to you the pain I felt when I looked at his face for the first time after that beating.”
Friends and family have said Tariq went on a vacation to visit relatives he hadn’t seen in about 10 years – not to be part of a conflict. They have described him as a good student who likes basketball, soccer and video games.
Tariq’s arrest happened shortly before Israel attacked Gaza to stop Hamas members from launching rockets into its territory.
His attorney Mr Shibly said the teen’s father has filed a complaint with the Israeli government.
* Associated Press, additional reporting from Reuters
