Ahed Tamimi, a Palestinian teenager and activist from the occupied West Bank was released on Sunday alongside her mother Nariman after serving an eight-month prison sentence. Ahed, 16 years old at the time was imprisoned for slapping and kicking Israeli soldiers shortly after an altercation with the soldiers who shot her 15-year-old cousin point blank in the face with a rubber-coated bullet, causing severe internal bleeding which left him seriously injured. The incident was live streamed, and it went viral leading to Tamimi’s arrest and was denied bail which meant she spent the rest of her trial in prison. This caused an international outcry, with both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International calling her immediate release. Ahed ultimately became the poster child for anti-occupation sentiments and she received an incredible amount of support not just from Palestinian people but the international community at large.

According to a report published by Defense for Children International Palestine (DCIP) Israel is the only country in the world that systematically prosecutes between 500 and 700 children in military courts each year, some as young as 12, so whilst Tamimi has become symbolic to the brunt of Israeli aggression, she is one of the many, many Palestinian children to get tried in military court every year.

Brad Parker, International Advocacy Officer and Staff Attorney for the DCIP explained that “Israeli military law denies basic fair trial rights and ill-treatment of child detainees is widespread with nearly three out of four Palestinian children experience some form of physical violence after the arrest.” Most of us would agree that children should not be detained nor prosecuted by military courts regardless of what the circumstance is and the fact that Israel continues to do this is a serious cause for concern. With a very warm welcome by the residents of Nabi Saleh and a swarm of journalists, the activist released her statement,

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

Ahed went on to explain that she has completed her high school exams with the help and support of other prisoners and she hopes to study law in order to defend the Palestinian cause, and no doubt since she has been nothing short of wonderfully articulate. Ahed will go on to achieve great things despite all the obstacles thrown at her.

I sat down with Ahed Tamimi in one of the first interviews after her release. Though physically exhausted, she spoke with such passion, eloquence and bravery. This girl is a force. Coming soon to @ajplus pic.twitter.com/k7jmtOA9MB

— Dena Takruri (@Dena) July 30, 2018

As Tamimi’s release was occurring, the Israeli Authorities arrested, 2 Italian artists after painting a mural on the annexation wall in the west bank near Bethlehem. Their visas were quickly rescinded shortly after if they were not to leave within 3 days of the incident. Lawyer of the two Italians, Azmi Masalha has confirmed they left Israel today, and have been banned from entering the country for 10 years.

Israeli forces arrested two Italian artists for painting a large mural of Ahed Tamimi on the annexation wall in the occupied West Bank. The artists are now barred from entry for 10 years. https://t.co/gjlnRVrKau pic.twitter.com/lK0ZTCUUTT

— The IMEU (@theIMEU) July 30, 2018

Ahed Tamimi to be Honoured in South Africa by Mandela’s Grandson https://t.co/QSxUgbUPzC pic.twitter.com/8GM1R27kdj

— Global Research (@CRG_CRM) July 30, 2018

A giant mural of a Ahed Tamimi has been painted on the separation wall in the occupied West Bank ahead of her expected release from prison. Ahed remains a symbol of resistance to the illegal Israeli occupation ✊????????????#FreeAhed pic.twitter.com/OVL2E4I0cx

— CODEPINK (@codepink) July 25, 2018

29/7 #AhedTamimi is freed out of #Israeli jails while 2 #Italian artists were painting a giant mural of her
29/7 #Israel arrested both #Italian artists
30/7 #Israeli deports the 2 #Italian artists

Why is #Israel so paranoid of #AhedTamimi or her mural ?!pic.twitter.com/ex9IIJA4y3

— Saif Bitar (@BitarSaif) July 30, 2018

On the first morning home, Ahed Tamimi’s friends brought her a cake that says “Palestine’s icon” pic.twitter.com/09QjL1U0si

— Dena Takruri (@Dena) July 30, 2018

Teenage Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi has been freed after eight months in prison for slapping an Israeli soldier.

The 17-year-old became a symbol of Palestinian resistance after a video of the incident went viral. pic.twitter.com/i01vzhyFnE

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) July 30, 2018

Ahed Tamimi vows to continue the resistance against the Israeli occupation after being released from prison pic.twitter.com/F5KTOdfPrE

— TRT World (@trtworld) July 30, 2018

Finally Ahed Tamimi is out, after spending her 18th birthday in jail, she is free. #PowerSymbol #AhadTamimi ???????? ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fokx4sflsj

— Iram Ahmad Khan (@Iram_says) July 30, 2018

Soufia

Palestine in 14 Powerful Images as Ahed Tamimi Is Freed

Ahed Tamimi Released From Prison, Whilst Two Italian Artists Arrested and Exiled for Painting a Mural of Her in the West Bank