IDF soldier-slapping Palestinian teen released from jail, visits Arafat’s grave

Pallywood star Ahed Tamimi, imprisoned in December for slapping IDF soldiers, was released.

By: World Israel News Staff

Ahed Tamimi, the Palestinian teen arrested last December after a video of her slapping and kicking an IDF officer went viral, was released from prison on Sunday after serving an eight-month term.

After visiting her home, Ahed paid her respects at the grave of the late Palestinian leader and arch-terrorist Yasser Arafat.

Tamimi, 17, was filmed assaulting a company commander and a soldier in the village of Nabi Saleh, the site of frequent violent demonstrations and clashes between residents and IDF troops.

She was charged with assault and five additional counts of rock-throwing, participating in disturbances, threats and incitement. Nur Tamimi, her cousin, was charged with assault in aggravated circumstances and was released in January, while Ahed’s mother, Nariman Tamimi was charged with aiding and abetting assault as well as with incitement connected to a previous disturbance.

Nariman was also released on Sunday.

Residents of Nebi Saleh gave Ahed and her mother a hero’s welcome, greeting them with banners, cheers and Palestinian flags.

“The resistance continues until the occupation is removed,” Ahed said upon her return. “All the female prisoners are steadfast. I salute everyone who supported me and my case.”

Tamimi plans to hold a press conference later on Sunday to convey her message and “that of the female prisoners who sent me messages all over the world.”

Her father, Bassem Tamimi, said he expects her to “take a lead” in the “struggle against Israeli occupation” but she is also weighing college options.

Two Italian artists painted a large mural of her on Israel’s security separation barrier ahead of her release. Israeli police say they were caught in the act along with another Palestinian and arrested for vandalism.

The notorious Tamimi clan

Nabi Saleh is home to about 600 members of the extended Tamimi clan, which has been engaged in provocations and terrorism against Israel for years.

Ahed’s father Bassem has been arrested multiple times for rioting and inciting children to commit acts of terror. Israel has recently banned him from traveling abroad.

In 2011, he was convicted and jailed when caught organizing the village children to march towards the neighboring Jewish community of Halamish (Neve Tzuf) and throw rocks.

Ahlam Tamimi, described by the Hamas military wing as their first female recruit, is a first cousin of Bassem and a Nabi Saleh native. Ahlam was a member of the Hamas terrorist cell that carried out the August 2001 bombing of the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem, which claimed 15 victims.

Most recently, her cousin, Izzeddin Tamimi, 21, was killed in June in the Ramallah area after attempting to attack an IDF soldier with a rock at close range during a riot.

AP contributed to this report.