Simplify the following text for a Grade 17 native English-speaking person.
Original: Paul Larudee , a 64-year-old former language professor from El Cerrito , California onboard the Sfendoni , was beaten and tased according to his family by the US Consul General and his lawyers ; his family has reported that Israeli consular officials informed them that Larudee , a pacifist , was beaten after not to follow the orders of troops .
Simplified: Paul Larudee , a 64-year-old former linguistics professor from El Cerrito , California onboard the Sfendoni , was beaten and tased according to his family who said that Israeli consular officials informed them that Larudee , a pacifist , was beaten after refusing to follow the orders of troops .