Israel extends detention of Ahed Tamimi for third time

An Israeli military court yesterday extended the detention of Palestinian teen Ahed Tamimi and her mother for a third time and for five days, according to the Palestinian Information Centre.

Tamimi, a resident of Nabi Saleh in the occupied West Bank, was arrested after a video of her and her cousin forcing Israeli occupation forces off her family’s land went viral on social media. This came moments after occupation forces shot her cousin in the head with rubber-coated steel bullets.

Ahed Tamimi, the Palestinian girl who was arrested for slapping and humiliating Israeli soldiers – Cartoon [Mahmoud Hendawi]

The Military Advocate General said that he is filing charges against Tamimi and her mother. They are currently accused of “assaulting a soldier, harming the security of the area, incitement and other felonies”, according to court documents, although their engagement in protests against the occupation are also expected to be raised against them.

Palestinian lawyer, Osama Al-Saadi, and Member of the Knesset, Ahmed Al-Tibi, who attended the hearing said Ahed and her mother were only taken after the footage of their protest had gone viral, an indication that Israel was more concerned at revenge.

Read: The campaign for Ahed Tamimi’s release should reflect her stance

“The Israelis have lost their temper due to a slap on a soldier’s face. However none of them has paid heed to the crime perpetrated by Israel’s military forces who shot Ahed’s relative in the head,” they added.

Tamimi’s case has received widespread media attention and a social media campaign #FreeAhed, has been launched in support of her.

Last week, dozens British MPs expressed concern at Tamimi’s arrest and signed a motion calling for her release. The Grand Imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayeb, has also denounced her arrest and praised the teenager’s courage.

Read: You have Trump’s promise and we have Ahed Tamimi