Israel judge to keep teenage activist in jail until trial ends

An Israeli military judge yesterday ordered that 16-yearold Ahed Tamimi be held in custody until her trial ends.

“I found no alternative other than to order her detention in custody until the end of proceedings,” the judge ruled.

“The gravity of the offences of which she is accused do not allow an alternative to custody.”

Ahed has been hailed as a hero by Palestinians for standing up to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank.

She has been charged with 12 counts, including assault, and could face a lengthy jail term if convicted.

The judge’s decision raises the possibility that she could spend months in custody before her case concludes.

Representatives from the French and Swedish consulates, as well as the EU, attended the hearing. Human rights groups have criticised the girl’s continued detention since her arrest on December 19.

Her mother was arrested over the incident on the same day, while her cousin Nour Tamimi, 20, was arrested on December 20. Nour was released on bail on January 5.

The incident that led to the arrests occurred in the yard of the Tamimi home in Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah.

A video shows the cousins approaching two soldiers and telling them to leave before shoving, kicking and slapping them.