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Ahed Tamimi’s younger brother arrested, likely for throwing stones at IDF

Ahed Tamimi’s younger brother was arrested on Monday, likely for throwing stones at Israeli soldiers. 

By World Israel News Staff

The Israel Defense Forces arrested the brother of Ahed Tamimi, arriving at the family’s home around 2:30 a.m. on Monday morning, the Tamimi family says. Ahed Tamimi made international news when she slapped two IDF soldiers in December 2017.

The father, Bassem Tamimi, says soldiers entered the house and arrested his son, 15-year-old Mohammed. He says Mohammed broke his arm over the weekend running from tear gas during protests in their village and suspected he was arrested for throwing stones at Israeli soldiers.

“They didn’t give any explanations beyond that he is wanted for questioning,” Bassem said, according to Ha’aretz. “Since then he’s been in detention and we’re trying to free him on bail via a lawyer.”

In a video taken of her brother’s arrest Ahed Tamimi yells: “Stop, or I will hit you.”

On 15 December 2017, Ahed Tamimi slapped two Israeli soldiers in an incident captured on film that made her a symbol of Palestinian opposition to Israeli rule. Though struck, the soldiers did not respond to her provocations.

In January, 2018, Tamimi was sentenced to eight months in prison for striking the soldiers. She was freed 21 days short of completing her sentence.

The Tamimis were among 21 Palestinians arrested overnight Monday, among them another cousin of the Tamimis.

The Tamimis are no strangers to violence against Israelis. Ahed Tamimi’s aunt, Ahlam Tamimi, chose the site of the gruesome August 2001 Sbarro attack, in which she also drove the suicide bomber to the location. Fifteen Jews were killed in that attack, including eight children and a pregnant woman.

Ahlam Tamimi now lives in Jordan, protected from extradition to the U.S. where she is on the FBI’s “Most Wanted Terrorist” list as two of the victims were American citizens.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.