After the release of the prison, a Palestinian teenager studies the law

Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi, become an international symbol of resistance to the Israeli occupation after slapping two soldiers, went out Sunday from an Israeli prison and told crowds of journalists and sympathizers that she wanted to study law to defend her people.

At an outdoor press conference near the home of his family, the 17-year-old curly-haired girl briefly raised her fist and said that "the occupation had to leave". She spoke against the backdrop of a large model of a sling that was "loaded" with a pencil rather than a stone, apparently to highlight the education as one of the possible Palestinian tactics.

The once-fiery teenager seemed to be subdued unless he committed to continuing his protests and saying that his eight months in prison had taught him to appreciate life.

Underlying his case are conflicting accounts of Israel's reign over Palestinians, the extent of Palestinian resistance Tamimi's supporters see a brave girl who has frustrated two armed soldiers after learning that Israeli troops had seriously injured a 15-year-old cousin, shooting him in the head at close range with a rubber bullet in nearby stone clashes.

In Israel, it is considered by many to be provocative, irritating or threatening the deterrence policy of the army – even as a "terrorist". Israel treated its acts as a criminal offense, accusing it of aggression and inducement. In liberal circles, the harsh accusations against Tamimi have been criticized as a public relations disaster because they made it an international icon

His release comes at a time when Palestinian hopes of Independent state seem weaker than ever. The Israeli-Palestinian talks on the creation of a state on the land Israel seized in 1967 – the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem – have been stalled since coming to power by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2009. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas suspended contacts with the United States after President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December, which the Palestinians denounced as a manifestation of flagrant pro-Israel bias. Abbas, meanwhile, has intensified its financial pressure on Gaza, controlled since 2007 by his bitter domestic rival, Islamist Hamas.

Many Palestinians are disillusioned by their leaders in both political camps and feel exhausted after years of conflict with Israel. Alternatives have emerged, including the call for a single state for the two peoples between the Jordan and the Mediterranean, but have not followed mbad.

In this context, the idea of ​​the so-called popular resistance – regular demonstrations, including the throwing of stones by unarmed protesters – has only stormed in some villages in the West Bank, including Nabi Saleh, home of the extended Tamimi clan.

Since 2009, residents of Nabi Salah have regularly organized anti-occupation demonstrations. ended with stone throwing clashes. Ahed took part in such marches at an early age and had several high-profile feuds with soldiers. A photo shows the child, then 12 years old, raising a closed fist towards a soldier who dominates it.

As a sign of popularity, two Italian artists painted a large fresco of her on the Israel separation barrier in the West Bank. his release.

Israeli police said they were caught in flagrante delicto with another Palestinian and arrested for vandalism. On Sunday, Israel canceled the two Italians' visas and ordered them to leave the country within three days, police said.

Ahed and his mother Nariman – also arrested in December in the same incident – were released Sunday. morning of a prison in the north of Israel. They were taken by bus to the West Bank and received a hero welcome to Nabi Saleh.

"The resistance continues until the occupation is removed," said Ahed on his return. "All the prisoners are firm, I greet all those who have supported me and my case".

From his home, Ahed went to the grave of Palestinian leader Ybader Arafat. She laid a wreath, kissed the tombstone – twice at the request of the photographers – and recited a prayer from the Qur'an, the Muslim holy book.

She was then taken away with her family to a meeting with Abbas at her 83-year-old President Abbas, hailing her as a symbol of resistance to occupation – even as she was being held. he is facing growing domestic criticism for not moving away from the ongoing security coordination between his forces and Israeli troops against Hamas, a shared enemy.

In an afternoon press conference, Ahed said that she finished her high school exams in prison with the help of other prisoners. Palestinian detainees usually hold study courses to finish high school and even university education.

"I will study law to defend my people and defend my Palestinian cause in international forums," she said. and that she missed her old life in the village and her friends. She said that she has undergone three lengthy interrogations without the presence of a female officer, in violation of the rules of Israel.

At one point on Sunday, Ahed received a call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who congratulated him on his release.

The clash of Tamimi with the two soldiers took place on December 15 in Nabi Saleh

At the time, protests erupted in several areas of the West Bank on Trump's recognition 10 days earlier of the disputed city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. . She was arrested at home four days later, in the middle of the night.

Ahed was 16 when she was arrested and turned 17 while in detention. His case drew attention to the detention of Palestinian minors by Israel, a practice that has been criticized by international rights groups. Some 300 minors are currently being held, according to Palestinian figures.

Israeli Minister Uri Ariel said that the Tamimi affair highlighted what could happen if Israel lowered its guard.

"I think Israel is acting too favorably with these types of Israel should treat those who hit its soldiers hard," he told the Associated Press. "We can not have a situation where there is no deterrence, the lack of deterrence leads to the reality we see now … we have to change that."