Ahed Tamimi, sixteen-year-old Palestinian teenager is a new sensation of resistance against Zionist occupation. Since, Tamimi was a young child, she and her family have engaged in active resistance against the growing Israeli occupation and theft of water springs. The family have staged protests and demonstration which was a growing tumour, challenging the might of Israel. How insane it is, one of the most heavily armed and advanced military of the world think a female teenager poses greater risk to them. Actually, the fear of family back ground, who serves as activist against the illegal occupation in Nabi Saleh village and impassionate character of the lad, gave sleepless nights to the Israeli policy makers to prepare an early ointment to stop growing sour. Tamimi had been detained on 19 December 2017 by occupant forces, during night raids on her home, at village of Nabi Saleh. Earlier, a video went viral, showing Tamimi confronting Israeli soldiers, slapping and kicking, after Israeli forces had shot Tamimi’s 15-year-old cousin point blank in the face with rubber bullet. Like every other Palestinian child, Tamimi met with same fate; she had been a child prisoner now, facing detention.
The unarmed teenager had been accused of assaulting Israeli soldier and an officer. Tamimi had substantial history of standing against the occupational forces. She emerged as an icon during 2009 protests in the village of Nabi Saleh against the separation wall and confiscation of land, when she participated in popular resistance in the weekly march, showing no fear of occupational forces. Tamimi’s photograph was taken by the AA photo journalist while she was showing her fist to an Israeli soldier during a protest held against Israeli settlements at the Nebi Salih village near Ramallah. Many Palestinian children had participated in the protest along with Tamimi. AA photo journalist Kays Abu Semra’s photograph of Tamimi showing her fist to the Israeli soldier made an overwhelming impression in all corners of the world. From the day, the spirit of Tamimi spooks Israelis. The devil forces were in search of an excuse to impede her growing courage, where they used a video clip as a lame excuse.
Examining the unbefitting claims of Israeli forces, it is very disheartening, how an unarmed teenager can assault a heavy armed soldier, it doesn’t make sense. Miseries doesn’t end here, Israelis unleashed their hounds on hunt, who later on detained her mother and cousin too. Tamimi had been shuffled from one prison to other. It is a classic example of blaming the victims. Ahed Tamimi and her fellow Palestinians, the indigenous inhabitants, have been forced to live under a belligerent, illegal and brutal occupation by Israel since 1967. We should not forget that between late 1947 and 1967, Jewish militia and the IDF (comprised of foreign Jews), evicted and expelled millions of Palestinians. Israel is in gross violation of the UN Third Charter’s Resolution of 1947, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Fourth Geneva Convention, Oslo Accord, etc. Here, I want to draw your attention towards much more important issue, which fortunately have a close link with Tamimi’s case, if we take a look of both with justice. Yes, I am talking about Malala Yousuf Zai of Pakistan, who was shot by Taliban forces, got world attention. The vociferous news reader, feminist and other international organization who run campaigns on girl empowerment came up with innumerable slogans: Girl Up, Girl Rising, G(irls)20 Summit, Because I am a Girl, Let Girls Learn, Girl Declaration. Even Gordon Brown, the former British PM issued a petition “I am Malala” and UNESCO launched “Stand Up With Malala.” But no campaign had been run in favour of Ahed Tamimi. Ahed Tamimi is charged with 12 counts of assault. If convicted, she could face a lengthy jail sentence of about 20 years. Israelis are attempting to break her because she had become symbol of resistance. A mere stone throwing case, if convicted, is punishable up to 20 years in prison. International cry had not such a good pitch that may invalidate Ahed’s detention. International outcry hadn’t any significant effect yet. Unfortunately, some well known bloggers and writers went against Ahed and Tamimi family. Petra Marquardt-Bigman, a German-Israeli researcher and writer with a Ph.D. in contemporary history, presented a blurred picture of issue where she portrayed Malala Yousaf symbol of resistance and Ahed symbol of violence. The researcher is agitated by the claims made by Al Jazeera, “Why west is biased with Ahed Tamimi?” In her opinion, Tamami and her family is not fighting for peace, they are not just fighting the occupation: They are fighting to destroy Israel, and their fight is seasoned with Jew-hatred. In her article published at eldersofziyon.blogspot.com, author came with another story targeting al-Jazeera, entitled “Al Jazeera needs help to see the difference between Malala Yousafzai and Ahed Tamimi.”
Democratic candidate for District Attorney, Noah Phillips in an article published by hurryupharry praised Mala Yousuf and came up with a heading “Ahed Tamimi is NO Malala.” Both the writers blamed Tamimi family of infusing anti-Israeli sentiments in their children and accused family of hailing fighters who confront IDF and kill Jews. Unlike Malala Yousafzai, who has a history of standing up to injustices, Ahed hasn’t gotten much attention or solidarity on social media. In fact, last year, Ahed was blocked from travelling to the US for a speaking tour meant to highlight the plight of the Palestinians.Harriet Sherwood, the guardian religious correspondent writes, “she is neither Joan of Arc nor a Palestinian puppet, but a symbol of a second traumatised generation.” One more reputed and award winning journalist, Baria Alamuddin, in her article published by Arab News quoted “there could be no better metaphor for the injustices of the occupation than the case of Ahed Tamimi.” She added, Ahed Tamim, a courageous young activist faces the possibility of life in prison for slapping two heavily armed Israeli troopers. Ahed furiously confronted them after security personnel shot her young cousin at close range with a rubber bullet, damaging his skull.The contradictory opinion, one from the West and other from the Middle-East, sent clear message to whole world, media is biased in Tamimi’s case. In Malala’s case, western media taunted whole Muslim community, called it gross violation of human rights, child abuse, etc. While in case of Ahed, western media seems to have lost appetite in considering human rights issues, child abuse, etc. The distorted image of the Tamimi family campaign portrayed by some media agencies is bolstering Israeli claims. Devoid of humanity, IDF claims a teenager pose threat to them. History is not about Tamimi only, the entire generations of Palestinian children are facing mental trauma.
Sheikh Nissar can be reached at sheikhnissar@Outlook.com
