Ahed Tamimi: Palestinian viral slap video teen goes on trial Published duration 13 February 2018

media caption Is a slap terrorism?

A Palestinian teenage girl filmed slapping an Israeli soldier has gone on trial in an Israeli military court in a case which has split public opinion.

Ahed Tamimi, 17, is charged with 12 offences, including assaulting security forces and incitement to violence.

If convicted, she could face a lengthy jail term.

For Palestinians, Ms Tamimi is a symbol of resistance to Israeli occupation, but many Israelis regard her as a violent troublemaker seeking publicity.

Ms Tamimi arrived at the military court on Tuesday morning with her hands and feet in shackles, and wearing a prison jumpsuit.

Her father, Bassem, was waiting in the court room when she arrived, and urged her to "stay strong".

Journalists waiting to report on the trial were ordered to leave by the judge, on the grounds that the accused was being treated as a minor. Such cases are usually tried in private.

But in Ms Tamimi's case, this went against the wishes of the family.

image copyright Getty Images image caption Basseem Tamimi, Ahed's father, waves to her when she arrives in the court room

"The court decided what is good for the court and not what is good for Ahed," her lawyer, Gaby Lasky, said outside the court.

"They understand that people outside Ofer military court are interested in Ahed's case. They understand that her rights are being infringed and her trial is something that shouldn't be happening.

"So, the way to keep it out of everybody's eyes is to close doors and not allow people inside the court for her hearings."

The case has been adjourned until March.

Viral video

Ahed Tamimi, then 16, was filmed by her mother, Nariman, shouting at and shoving two soldiers in the driveway of her family home in Nabi Saleh in the occupied West Bank on 15 December 2017.

In the footage she kicks one soldier and slaps his face, and threatens to punch the other.

image copyright AFP image caption The trial is being held behind closed doors at Ofer military court

Ahed Tamimi was arrested in a night-time raid days later. Her mother has also been charged with incitement on social media and assault, and her cousin, Nour, who participated in the incident, has been charged with assault.

The case sparked an outpouring of deeply opposing views between Israelis and Palestinians.

Following the incident, Israel's Education Minister Naftali Bennett said Ahed and Nour Tamimi deserved to "finish their lives in prison".

Many Israelis say Ahed Tamimi has long been exploited by her family, who they accuse of using her to try to provoke Israeli soldiers on film.

image copyright YouTube image caption Ahed Tamimi was seen threatening to punch a soldier when she was aged 11

She was praised for her actions by then Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who presented her with a "courage" award.

Ahed Tamimi had first came to public prominence when, aged 11, she appeared in another video threatening to punch a different soldier.

For Palestinians, she has become a national icon for what they see as acts of bravery in standing up to armed soldiers on occupied land.

Her face has appeared on street murals and posters, while an online petition organised by her father calling for her release has gathered 1.7m signatures.

Special court

image copyright AFP image caption Palestinian supporters around the world have called for Tamimi's release

The Israeli military said it had dispatched the soldiers to the Tamimis' home, where Palestinian youths had been throwing stones at troops sent to quell violent protests in the village.

Human rights groups say Ahed Tamimi's case highlights what they say is Israel's harsh treatment of Palestinian minors.

About 1,400 Palestinian minors have been prosecuted in special juvenile military courts over the past three years, according to the Israel Defense Forces.