CAIR calls on US to press Israel for release of Ahed Tamimi

The Council on American-Islamic Relations has called on the US administration to press the Israeli government for the release of Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi.

The young Palestinian activist was detained by the Israeli military this week during a raid in the occupied West Bank, reportedly over a social media post with her name on it, but that her family says is not hers.

"Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi, best known for confronting Israeli soldiers and opposing illegal Israeli settlements, has been kidnapped by Israeli security forces," CAIR's press release reads. 

"The Israeli government said Tamimi was detained in connection with a post they say she made inciting violence. Tamimi's mother said she did not make the post nor own the account from which the post was made," CAIR's statement continues.

"She is a prominent young Palestinian activist and in many ways a symbol of peaceful resistance," Edward Ahmed Mitchell, national deputy director of CAIR, told The New Arab. He added that if she's not safe, then this is concerning for those without the name recognition. "She has committed no crime. What she's wanted for is made up."

Tamimi's detainment comes as Israel's bombing of Gaza is entering its second month, following Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on 7 October. Though most of the violence is concentrated in Gaza, the West Bank has seen an increase in incidents.