A Slap Against Apartheid

Ahed Tamimi is a 16-year-old Palestinian girl whose courageous resistance against the violent illegal 50 year occupation of her community has drawn worldwide attention – and landed her in jail. Her crime was slapping a heavily armed Israeli soldier who had entered the yard of her house just hours after the military shot her teenage cousin in the face with a rubber coated bullet.

In her West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, there have been years of demonstrations calling for justice. Marches are repressed with tear gas, a variety of bullets and skunk water. Two people in the family have been killed by Israeli soldiers.

Ahed will be held in a military prison for 101 days until her trial by a military tribunal with a conviction rate of over 99%.  Her mother, Nariman Tamimi, is also being held in jail for circulating a video of what happened. This is not justice. Israel threatens Ahed Tamimi with years in prison because they fear her power – the power of resistance.

Young women like Ahed Tamimi are an inspiration to us all. As journaist David Love wrote this week, “Ahed is the Rosa Parks of Palestine.”

Ahed’s detention is further evidence of the need for H.R. 4391, an Act Promoting Human Rights by Ending Israeli Military Detention of Palestinian Children, now co-sponsored by 20 members of Congress.  Sadly no Connecticut Congress person has stepped up to support this important human rights legislation. Please contact your Congressperson and encourage co-sponsorship of HR 4391. 

#FreeTamimiWomen      #FreeAhedTamimi