Israel: Release Teenage Activist Ahed Tamimi
Teenage Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi has been called the 'Rosa Parks of Palestine'. For years, she and her family have bravely stood up against the Israeli occupation of their land. But she now faces up to 10 years in prison over an altercation with Israeli soldiers.
On 15 December, then 16-year-old Ahed Tamimi and her family were protesting against Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. In a horrifying turn of events, Ahed's 14-year-old cousin, Mohammed, was shot in the head at close range by an Israeli soldier. He required intensive surgery, where part of his skull was removed, in order to dislodge the rubber bullet.
Later that day, Ahed also came face to face with Israeli soldiers, when they entered the yard of her family's house. In a video posted to social media, an unarmed Ahed is shown slapping, shoving and kicking two armed Israeli soldiers who are wearing protective gear. It was clear she posed no actual threat to them – as they lightly swatted her advances away. But now she could face up to 10 years in prison - a punishment which is blatantly disproportionate.
On 19 December, Ahed's home was raided by Israeli soldiers during the night. She was arrested – and now faces charges of aggravated assault, obstructing the work of soldiers, and incitement. In detention, she endured aggressive interrogations, sometimes at night, and threats made against her family. Her trial before an Israeli military juvenile court is imminent - we must mobilise quickly and effectively.
There is nothing Ahed Tamimi has done that can justify the continuing detention of a child. Help us put global pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing to you today on the case of Palestinian activist, Ahed Tamimi, who has been detained since 19 December 2017 after an altercation with an Israeli soldier in the occupied West Bank when she was 16 years old.
An unarmed teenage girl assault on two armed soldiers wearing protective gear posed no actual threat to them. Her punishment is blatantly disproportionate.
Ahed Tamimi's arrest and trial before a military court exposes Israel's discriminatory treatment of Palestinian children. The Israeli army prosecutes hundreds of children in juvenile military courts every year.
Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Israel is a state party, the arrest and detention of a child must be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.
There is nothing Ahed Tamimi has done that can justify the continuing detention of a child. She must be released without delay.
[Your comments here]
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
