Israel released from prison on Sunday Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi who was jailed late last year after she was filmed kicking and slapping an Israeli soldier in the village of Nabi Saleh in the West Bank.
An Israel Prison Service spokesman said Tamimi had left the Sharon prison and was en route to her village. In Nabi Saleh, supporters welcomed Tamimi home with banners and Palestinian flags planted on the roof of her home. Hundreds of chairs were set up for well-wishers in the courtyard.
Wearing her trademark black-and-white checked keffiyeh, Tamimi greeted dozens of well-wishers in brief remarks outside the home of a villager who was killed in clashes with Israeli forces.
"From this martyr's house, I say: resistance is continuing until the occupation is removed," she told reporters.
"All the female prisoners in jail are strong, and I thank everyone who stood by me while I was in prison," she said. Tamimi was scheduled to give a formal press conference at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Members of the Tamimi family, particularly the women, are regular participants in the anti-settlement protests in their village, which often turn violent. Tamimi, 17, became a heroine to Palestinians after the Dec. 15 incident outside her home was streamed live on Facebook by her mother and went viral. She was 16 at the time.
She faced 12 charges, including aggravated assault, and in March pleaded guilty to a reduced charge sheet that included assault. She was sentenced to eight months in jail, including time served.
Attorney Gaby Lasky, who represented Tamimi, hailed her client's release, claiming that the teen had been imprisoned for "political reasons."
Tamimi's father Bassem said Saturday that after her release from prison, "we expect her to lead and we will support her to lead" the fight against Israel's presence in the West Bank, but also stressed that she was weighing college options.
