Published: 15 February 2018
Last updated: 4 March 2024
Israel’s decision to put a Palestinian teen on trial could come back to bite it (Washington Post)
Slouching in her chair and mouthing messages to her friends and family from under a cascade of strawberry-blond curls, Ahed Tamimi in many ways appears to be an everyday teenager.
But the tussle of television cameras and photographers that crowded in for a shot of her in the dock of a small Israeli military court in Ofer for a bail hearing last month was a reminder that she is far from it.
Ahed, who recently turned 17, was arrested after a video of her slapping and kicking two Israeli soldiers who had entered her front yard went viral last year. On Tuesday, after nearly two months in detention, she went on trial on 12 charges, including assault of a soldier and incitement.
Although no one was seriously hurt, the Israeli military is keen to make an example of her to deter other young Palestinians from fighting back against the Israeli occupation, her lawyer says.
UN calls on Israel to free Ahed Tamimi (Jerusalem Post)
It also demanded that her trial, which began on Tuesday at Ofer military court, be held in public view, including to the media.
Trial of Palestinian teen who slapped IDF soldiers begins behind closed doors (Times of Israel)
Judge at Ofer military court orders outsiders kept out of the proceedings for the benefit of Ahed Tamimi, who is being tried as a minor
Photo: The Washington Post
