Palestinian teen praised for slapping Israeli soldier

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A video of a 16-year-old girl, Ahed Tamimi, slapping and kicking an Israeli soldier outside her home went viral. Days later, Tamimi, her mother and a cousin were arrested in the middle of the night by the Israeli army for incitement and assault, among other charges.

Two weeks later, Tamimi was indicted in an Israeli military court on a dozen charges including assaulting a soldier and past involvement in stone-throwing against Israeli soldiers.

Dates for her trial and sentencing are not yet set.

Palestinian teen Ahed Tamimi (R) enters a military courtroom escorted by Israeli Prison Service personnel at Ofer Prison, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, Jan. 1, 2018. /Reuters Photo

The new generation's Joan of Arc

Tamimi has become an overnight hero for local Palestinians and international groups worldwide opposed to Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.

A leading Israeli editorialist likens Tamimi to Joan of Arc, the French peasant heroine who led France to victory over Britain in the 1400's during the hundred years' war. Joan of Arc claimed "God's voice" told her she was meant to lead France to victory. She was burnt alive on charges of witchcraft, heresy and dressing like a man.

"I am not afraid. I was born to do this."

- Joan of Arc

Why is Ahed Tamimi a heroine

Tamimi is locally being praised for standing up to Israeli soldiers for defending what she believes is fair and right.

Palestinians are even calling her "the Face of Jerusalem," a reference to the recent controversy stirred when US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Protests erupted in the Middle Eastern and many other countries as a result.

This file photo, taken on Nov. 2, 2012, shows Ahed Tamimi (C) raising her fist in front of an Israeli soldier during a protest against the confiscation of Palestinian land by Israel, in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh near Ramallah. /AFP Photo

Many people say that Israel arrested Tamimi, her mother and cousin in the middle of the night to send a message to other Palestinians: "Don't think of doing what Ahed did or you will pay a similar price."

The strategy has had the opposite effect: Young Palestinians admire her and want to be like her.

What happens next?

Palestinians may take to the streets in protest and an uprising could ensue in the event of Tamimi receiving a harsh imprisonment sentence.

Israeli may adopt a strategy to keep extending Tamimi's imprisonment in a bid to make the Palestinians "forget" the teenager as she languishes in prison.

The head of Israel's Betselem human rights organization told CGTN there is no Israeli law in place stipulating a moratorium or statute of limitations on the length of time a Palestinian prisoner can be held without formal sentencing.