The Israeli Military Court this week ordered the continued remand of Nabi Saleh teenage soldier-slapper and IDF incitement video star Ahed Tamimi, pending her upcoming trial.
Tamimi was indicted on multiple counts of assaulting law enforcement officers, using a slingshot to hurl stones at Israeli soldiers, and incitement to commit suicide attacks.
Since her arrest, NGOs claiming to promote human rights have been calling for her release, primarily on the basis of her age as well as the political motivations surrounding the incidents.
But according to Lt. Col. (res.) Maurice Hirsch, former head of prosecution in Judea and Samaria, and Military Justice Consultant at the NGO Monitor watchdog organization, authorities in most Western countries would also have arrested Tamimi and held for her actions.
“Tamimi’s repeated attacks on security forces, other violent crimes, and incitement to terrorism would in most, if not all, Western legal systems warrant her arrest pending trial,” Hirsch pointed out.
“NGOs cannot have it both ways: arguing she is treated too harshly for a 16-year old, but also lauding her for engaging in an intentional provocation against soldiers.”
The organization noted that the NGOs advocating for Tamimi’s release regularly attack the military courts, claiming inherent bias.
“However, today’s decision shows that the court acted independently and applied the law, basing its decisions on the evidence presented and the other relevant factors,” Hirsch said.
She added that it is also important to highlight Tamimi’s home environment, noting that her father was previously convicted of organizing the village children to ambush and attack Israeli soldiers. Tamimi’s mother has also been indicted for similar offenses.
“If these self-described ‘human rights organizations’ had any credibility they would condemn the systematic incitement and weaponization of children promoted in Palestinian society,” Hirsch said. “They would also condemn the violent action and rhetoric of the defendant.”