Born into a Palestinian Christian family in Bethlehem, Abuata moved to the United States during the first Palestinian Intifada when he was 12. After graduating from the University of Texas Law School, Tarek started his career working for the Negotiations Support Unit of the Palestinian Authority, researching legal and policy issues. Since, Abuata worked on the ground for nine years as the coordinator of the Christian Peacemaker Team in Hebron and served as the representative of Rev. Bernard LaFayette (protégé of Dr. King) training Palestinian youth in nonviolence principles and steps. Currently, Abuata serves as the Executive Director of Friends of Sabeel North America.