Ahed Tamimi received prominent media coverage internationally when she was arrested by the Israeli Occupation authorities shortly before Christmas 2017. Israeli soldiers forced their way into the Tamimi’s home at night time, and arrested Nariman and Bassem Tamimi’s 16-year-old daughter, Ahed.

The day before, there had been a demonstration to protest against the Occupation Army’s use of force when Ahed’s 14-year-old cousin Muhammed was shot in the face during another demonstration. In the course of the demonstration, an Israeli soldier hit Ahed, but Ahed defended herself, slapping the soldier in his face. That allegedly was the reason why this young girl was thrown into prison.

But Ahed Tamimi has shown defiance towards the Occupation Army on several occasions. Ahed herself says: ”We only want to live a peaceful life. We want to play like other children. My dream is to become a football player.” In her room at home, the walls are adorned with pictures of Disney’s Snow White and My Little Pony, just like any other teenage girl. But the occupation prevents the children from being children.

Ahed lives in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, some 20 kilometres north of Jerusalem. Nabi Saleh is famous for its peaceful resistance against the oppression. Nabi Saleh is a place where Palestinian, Israeli and international women enjoy picnics near a water spring in the park. ”Nabi Saleh is where I lost my Zionism”, wrote Lisa Goldman in ”+972 Magazine”.

Ahed Tamimi embodies the spirit of Nabi Saleh. This is her story, written by Paul Morris, Paul Heron, Peter Lahti and Ahed Tamimi’s aunt, Manal Tamimi.