Soldier-slapping Ahad Tamimi warmly welcomed in Tunisia

Palestinian activist Ahed Tamini and her family met with Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi in Tunis on Tuesday during a visit to the North African country. Tamimi's visit to Tunisia is a "form of recognition for the fight and sacrifices by several generations of Palestinians", Essebi said, according to a presidential press release.

"It is also an acknowledgement of the justice of the Palestinian cause, and its value in the conscience of Tunisian people," the statement added.

During the meeting, Essebi said that Tunisia will continue to support the Palestinian people in their right to establish an independent state.

Tamimi thanked Essebi for inviting her to Tunisia. "Tunisia is the first Arab country that we chose to speak about our cause, and that is exceptional for us. We hope that the liberation of Palestine begins in Tunisia," she said, according to ANSAmed.

The Tunisian General Union of Labor will hold a ceremony to honor Tamimi and her family, the group said on Facebook.

Tamimi's visit coincides with the 33rd anniversary of Israel's Operation Wooden Leg, in which Israeli air forces attacked the headquarters near Tunis of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which was based in the country at the time.

Dozens of Palestinians and Tunisians were killed in the attack, which was condemned by the UN Security Council.

Tamimi, who is now 17, became a symbol of Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation when she was filmed slapping an Israeli soldier in front her house in the occupied West Bank in December.

The footage of the incident went viral and the Palestinian teenager was eventually arrested and sentenced to eight months in jail by an Israeli military court.

She was released from an Israeli prison in July and received a hero's welcome inside and outside of the occupied Palestinian territories.

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