Ahed Tamimi: shy Palestinian girl turned anti-occupation 'lioness'


Nada AlTaher
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Ahed Tamimi instantly became an anti-occupation icon in the West Bank and the Middle East when she slapped an Israeli soldier attempting to raid her home at the age of 16.

That moment in 2017, caught on camera and followed by eight months in prison, turned the once-shy girl with the long mane of strawberry-blonde curls into the “lioness” of her village of Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah.

On Monday, Ahed, now 22, was arrested again, this time for “inciting violence” in a since-deleted Instagram post, amid the Israel-Gaza war that has claimed the lives of more than 10,000 civilians in the strip, including 4,000 children, according to local Palestinian authorities.

Her mother told The National she does not know where she is being held.

Ahed was never one to conform to society's expectations, her mother, Nariman Tamimi said. She spent much of her childhood playing football alongside her three brothers outside their family home.

“Her favourite player was (Brazilian) Neymar. We even got a family friend to get a signed T-shirt for Ahed from Spain.”

Like many in the occupied territories, her life has been marked by tragedy and restrictions.

Israeli forces killed two of her uncles and an aunt, while her mother was arrested in 2018. Her father, Bassem, is currently in Israeli custody after being detained 10 days ago on his way to Jordan.

It is unclear if the post that led to her recent arrest came from an account belonging to her or from someone claiming to be her.

“Every time she creates a new account, it's hacked,” said Nariman. “Even the account they say made the post they arrested her about has been hacked.”

Ahed Tamimi stands in front of an Israeli soldier during a protest against the confiscation of Palestinian land in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah, in November 2012. AFP
Ahed Tamimi stands in front of an Israeli soldier during a protest against the confiscation of Palestinian land in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah, in November 2012. AFP

Ahed has never fit with the image of muqawama, meaning resistance to the occupation – almost always angry, weapon-wielding Palestinian men. She is not the person the world sees, explains her family.

“She's quiet and shy, she keeps to herself” and has an understated bravery, said Nariman.

When she was taken from her home on Monday, Ahed said: “Mama, don't worry. I'm strong. I'll be OK”, her mother said.

“She was waiting for this moment [her arrest]. She hasn't been sleeping lately.”

Palestinian residents say the threats and pressure from settlers, emboldened by the most far-right government in Israel's history, have grown worse since the deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7.

Since then, the UN has recorded more than 170 settler-related attacks on Palestinians, hundreds of whom have been forced from their homes.

Nariman said her daughter felt the pressure mounting against her as settlers called for her arrest.

“That's why she was fully dressed, shoes and all when she was taken.

“Ever since October 7, it's been increasingly difficult to know where the detainees are being kept. We still don't know anything about Ahed,” added the mother.

Ahed Tamimi was arrested on Monday for "inciting violence" in a since-deleted Instagram post. Itamar Ben-Gvir / X
Ahed Tamimi was arrested on Monday for "inciting violence" in a since-deleted Instagram post. Itamar Ben-Gvir / X

Israeli soldiers raiding her home had threatened the entire family, Nariman said.

“They called Ahed all kinds of insults. They said they're coming for me and my eldest son, Wa'd, next.”

Ahed has been studying to become a lawyer, her mother said, but she had been ill and had missed out on university.

“She's tired and unwell. There's nothing normal about this.”

Her father earlier blamed his generation for his daughter's struggles.

“We failed to end the occupation and we gave our children the occupation. But I feel happy that (Ahed) represents her generation,” he said in 2018.

In a published letter she wrote after prison in 2018, the Palestinian teenager highlighted the daily struggles of life under occupation that prevented her from living a normal life.

“If I were permitted to be a regular teenager living in a normal country, I would play sports. I wanted to become a football player but I don’t play here because there is no time,” she wrote.

“Instead, I have been involved in demonstrations and confrontations with the Israeli army since I was a child.”

Earlier this year, she published a memoir, They Called Me a Lioness.

“What would you do if you grew up seeing your home repeatedly raided? Your parents arrested? Your mother shot? Your uncle killed? Try, for just a moment, to imagine that this was your life,” the memoir begins.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Liverpool's all-time goalscorers

Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228

SPECS

Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

SCHEDULE

December 8: UAE v USA (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)

December 9: USA v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)

December 11: UAE v Scotland (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)

December 12: UAE v USA (ICC Academy Oval 1)

December 14: USA v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)

December 15: UAE v Scotland (ICC Academy Oval 1)

All matches start at 10am

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
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Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder

Started: October 2021

Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Industry: technology, logistics

Investors: A15 and self-funded 

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
  • Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
  • Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
  • Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
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  • Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
  • Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
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Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

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Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

The Transfiguration

Director: Michael O’Shea

Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine

Three stars

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THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
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  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
A cheaper choice

Vanuatu: $130,000

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Benefits:  No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.

Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):

1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop

2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia -  £25m: Flop

3). Erik Lamela - Roma -  £25m: Jury still out

4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen -  £25m: Success

5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic -  £21m: Flop

6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar -  £18m: Flop

7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers -  £18m: Flop

8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb -  £17m: Success

9). Paulinho - Corinthians -  £16m: Flop

10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham -  £16m: Success

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
 

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Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi

Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi

Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain

Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni

Rating: 2.5/5

The specs

Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 180hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 250Nm at 3,00rpm

Transmission: 5-speed sequential auto

Price: From Dh139,995

On sale: now

Updated: November 30, 2023, 8:47 AM