Israel detains Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi in West Bank raid

Israeli forces raided the village of Nabi Saleh, entered the Tamimi family's home, and arrested the famed activist Ahed Tamimi.
2 min read
06 November, 2023
Ahed Tamimi became a Palestinian icon aged 14 when she tried to prevent an Israeli soldier from arresting her little brother [Getty]

Israeli authorities detained Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi early Monday during a raid on her hometown of Nabi Saleh in the occupied West Bank.

Tamimi, 23, was arrested on suspicion of "inciting violence and terrorist activities", an army spokesman told AFP, and was brought in for questioning by Israeli forces.

Ahed’s mother, Nariman Tamimi, told Anadolu Agency that an Israeli military force raided their home and confiscated phones.

Ahed's father had been detained a few days earlier.

Tamimi became a Palestinian icon aged 14 when she tried to prevent an Israeli soldier from arresting her little brother who had his arm in a cast.

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She continued to take part in protests against Israeli occupation in her hometown and became an international star, with a huge portrait painted on the Israeli separation wall near Jerusalem.

Tamimi was arrested by Israeli forces in March 2017 and served an eight-month prison sentence, along with an additional eight-month suspended sentence and a fine of approximately $1,500.

The same court also sentenced her mother to eight months in prison with an additional five-month suspended sentence and a fine of around $2,000. 

Ahed Tamimi suffered a broken arm due to her activism against Israeli forces.

West Bank towns and Jerusalem see near-daily violent raids and incursions by the Israeli army, often resulting in confrontations, arrests, and the use of live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas on young Palestinians.

Tensions and violence have claimed the lives of more than 150 Palestinians in the West Bank since 7 October, most killed by Israeli soldiers or by settlers, according to the Palestinian health ministry.