WASHINGTON: The United States has demanded a “speedy, transparent and credible investigation” into the alleged beating of a Palestinian-American teenager by Israeli police earlier this week.

“We are calling for a speedy, transparent and credible investigation and full accountability for any excessive use of force,” US State Department’s spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, Israel’s ambassador to the US assured Americans that those found guilty of burning alive a Palestinian boy will not be lauded as heroes.

“They will not be hailed as heroes,” Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer told “Fox News on Sunday”. “There will not be public squares named after them.”

Related: Jewish extremists held over Palestinian teenager’s murder

Tariq Abu Khder (C), a Palestinian-US teenager who was allegedly beaten during Israeli police custody.—AFP Photo

Six Jewish men were arrested this weekend in connection with the killing of the Palestinian Arab teenager, whose death last week sparked widespread protests in Arab areas of Jerusalem and northern Israel.

Mohammed Abu Khdeir, 16, was abducted early last week, and his charred body was found a short while later in a Jerusalem forest. Media reports depicted it as a revenge killing for the earlier deaths of three Israeli teens.

Fifteen-year old Tariq Khdeir, who was allegedly beaten by the Israeli police during a protest in Jerusalem, is a cousin of Mohammed Abu Khdeir.

In a statement issued in Washington, Ms Psaki confirmed that Tariq Khdeir is an American citizen and is being held by Israeli authorities in Jerusalem. An official from the US Consulate General in Jerusalem visited him on Saturday.

Also see: Israeli court hands US teen 9-day house arrest

“We are profoundly troubled by reports that he was severely beaten while in police custody and strongly condemn any excessive use of force,” Ms Psaki said.

In the same statement, the State Department “reiterated” its “grave concern” about the increasing violent incidents in Israel, and called upon all sides to “take steps to restore calm and prevent harm to innocents”.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2014