Palestinian teen who slapped Israeli soldier to face charges

The military said in a statement the officer "acted professionally" but right-wing Israeli politicians described his behavior as humiliating.

By REUTERS
Updated: DECEMBER 29, 2017 04:03
Palestinian teens filmed slapping IDF soldiers (Credit: Facebook/The Israel Project)
A 16-year-old Palestinian girl who gained notoriety by slapping an Israeli officer in the face two weeks ago will face assault charges in an Israeli military court, prosecutors said on Thursday (December 28).
The December 15 incident in the West Bank was captured on video and posted on the Internet, drawing attention on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian divide.
Palestinians hailed the teenager, Ahed Tamimi, as a hero. Israelis debated whether the officer, who along with another soldier was also kicked by the girl, had done the right thing by opting not to strike back.
The melee occurred at the entrance to Tamimi's family home in Nabi Saleh, a village in the West Bank, during what the army said was stone-throwing at soldiers. Weekly protests against Israeli settlement policy have been held there for years.
The military said in a statement the officer "acted professionally" but right-wing Israeli politicians described his behavior as humiliating.
Three days after a video clip of the confrontation was broadcast on Israeli television, Tamimi - who can be heard on the video clip shouting at the soldiers to leave - was arrested.
At Thursday's hearing, in a military courtroom in Ofer Prison near the Palestinian city of Ramallah, prosecutors said they intend to indict the teenager on charges that include aggravated assault and insulting a soldier.
Prosecutors asked the court to extend her detention term for another seven days to give them time to prepare the charge sheet.
Tamimi made news two years ago when she was pictured biting a soldier who tried to arrest her younger brother. Their father has been a leading activist in the village.