Ahed Tamimi, the teenage girl jailed for slapping an Israeli soldier, told how she turned her prison which was "full of humiliation and difficulties ... into a school".
Speaking hours after she was released from an Israeli military jail, after eight months in prison, Ahed thanked her supporters, called for a united Palestine, and highlighted the struggles of female and juvenile prisoners.
The teenager spoke about how she established classes with other young people to study for university matriculation exams and international law so they could know their rights. They called their class "the challenge class" because of how efforts to get an education were opposed by Israeli officials.
The 17-year-old said she will study law so she can advocate for the Palestinian cause in international courts.
Ahed said the interrogators would speak to her in a manner "in a way that was not ethical" and said that there was never a female soldier present, as her rights dictate.
She spoke about the importance of women in the struggle against Israeli occupation and highlighted the continued detention of other Palestinians, particularly women and three girls.
Ahed said, "prison taught me how to be patient, how to be in a team, and how to love life ... the power is with the people and the people can decide her destiny".
Earlier she met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his headquarters in Ramallah hours after she returned home from an Israeli military prison where she had been held for eight months.
After meeting Ahed, Mr Abbas called her "a symbol for the Palestinian struggle for freedom and independence".
"The popular and peaceful style of struggle that Ahed Tamimi and her village and nearby villages have been practising proves to the world that our people will remain steadfast in this land, defending it no matter how much needs to be sacrificed," he said.
Ahed and her mother, who was also jailed, had hours earlier returned to a festive welcome back in her hometown of Nabi Saleh.
They were greeted by supporters and international news media. Emotional, Ahed smiled, waved to friends and embraced her family.
"The resistance continues until the occupation is removed," she said after returning home. "All the female prisoners are steadfast. I salute everyone who supported me and my case."
Her father, Bassam Tamimi, a prominent activist, put his arms around his wife and daughter as they walked down the road. A crowd chanted "we want to live in freedom". He used the moment to bring attention to his son, Wa'ed, 22, who is still in prison.
Ahed later visited the tomb of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Ramallah and laid flowers there before reciting a prayer from the Quran. She also visited the home of a family member who was shot dead in June after throwing stones at Israeli soldiers.
After eight months in Israeli captivity, Ahed was released as a celebrated figure in Palestinian politics, amid a period of particular tension along the border.
She was arrested on December 19 last year, days after the teenager was filmed with her cousin, Nour Tamimi, slapping and kicking two Israeli soldiers who refused to leave their home in Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah, which is home to about 600 members of her extended clan.
The scuffle took place amid protests against United States President Donald Trump's decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Ahed's family said a member of the extended family was wounded in the head by a rubber bullet during those protests.
Turning 17 in prison, Ahed was refused bail throughout her detention and subsequent trial in an Israeli court, where she was tried for assault, throwing stones, incitement to violence and making threats.
In March, a plea deal was struck with Israeli prosecutors, giving her an eight-month sentence, including the time she had already served. Her cousin was released immediately.
For Palestinians, Ahed became a heroine for standing up to Israeli aggression and the invasion of her family home.
Meanwhile, Israelis initially saw the video as emblematic of Israeli restraint, the soldiers backing away, not reacting. However, after the girls and Ahed's mother, who also filmed the incident, were arrested, there was criticism even within Israel that prosecutors were overreacting.
Ahed's case drew international support from high-profile artists, actors, academics, and athletes, who called for the teenager's release.
Jim Fitzpatrick, the artist who created the globally recognised Che Guevara image, created a poster of Ahed, the strapline reading "there is a real wonder woman", which he released.
In February, Sarah Silverman, a comedian of Jewish descent tweeted her support for Ahed, saying "Jews have to stand up even when, especially when, the wrongdoing is by Jews or the Israeli government".
Last week, an Italian artist, Jorit Agoch, painted a four-metre long mural of her on the separation wall that cuts the West Bank off from Israel. Her calm expression and shock of auburn hair stood out in contrast to the black background and implicitly, Israeli aggression.
On Saturday, Agoch and another graffiti artist were arrested by Israeli police.
In April, a video emerged of Ahed facing a lewd interrogation from an Israeli official. The interrogator threatened the girl with the arrest of her family, and comments on her body, skin and "eyes of an angel".
Despite sometimes being within inches of the man, who was said to be part of the Israeli intelligence branch, Ahed remained unaffected.
Her father said the video was demonstrative of Israel's failure to break the will of his daughter. Her silence under pressure showed that "we are not victims, we are fighters for the cause of freedom of our people", he said.
_______________
Read more:
Opinion: Loser’s justice is now the most that Palestinians can hope for
Editorial: No civilised nation would treat minors the way Israel treats Palestinian children
Video reveals threats and innuendos in questioning of Palestinian teenager
_______________
Ahed comes from a family of prominent activists, and before her arrest was no stranger to confronting Israeli aggression or the spotlight of media attention.
The teenager made headlines after she was filmed biting the hand of a soldier trying to arrest her brother. Before that, she was photographed defying soldiers in her village, fist raised in opposition.
Yara Hawari, a Palestinian activist and friend of the Tamimi family, said the tough sentence helped to build support.
"It was a symbolic image of a child confronting a heavily armed Israeli soldier at her home," she told AFP.
"The fact that what she did got her so long in prison is also something that drew a lot of attention."
The teenager's case also highlights bias within Israel's court system — there is more than a 99 per cent conviction rate for Palestinians, and there are more children detained by Israel. An Israeli human rights organisation criticised the treatment of Ahed, saying that arresting children overnight and treating them as adults is "the first step, not a last resort of the system".
Her father said Ahed would rise to the platform she's been given.
"I don't think any child can be totally ready to become a prominent symbol of the Palestinian struggle, but Ahed is a very strong child," Mr Tamimi said.
"We have seen from the interrogation videos, from how she behaves in court, that she is incredibly confident and resilient. So I think she will take this in her stride."
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
Kashima Antlers 3 (Nagaki 49’, Serginho 69’, Abe 84’)
Guadalajara 2 (Zaldivar 03’, Pulido 90')
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Barack Beach, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Way Of Wisdom, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Woodditton, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Secret Trade, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mark Of Approval, Antonio Fresu, Mahmood Hussain.
9.25pm: Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tradesman, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
FIGHT%20CARD
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Baniyas Group 2 (PA) Dh 97,500 (Dirt) 1,400m.
7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,400m
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,400m
8.50pm Rated Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh 85,000 (D) 2,000m
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
THREE
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RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Shafaf, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5,30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Noof KB, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed (TB) Dh380,000 1,400m
Winner: Taamol, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Group One (PA) Dh2,500,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Listed (PA) Dh230,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Mekhbat, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint
Greenheart Organic Farms
This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.
www.greenheartuae.com
Modibodi
Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.
www.modibodi.ae
The Good Karma Co
From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes.
www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco
Re:told
One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.
www.shopretold.com
Lush
Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store.
www.mena.lush.com
Bubble Bro
Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.
www.bubble-bro.com
Coethical
This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.
www.instagram.com/coethical
Eggs & Soldiers
This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.
www.eggsnsoldiers.com
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6
Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km
Price: Dh375,000
On sale: now
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Read more from Johann Chacko
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
