A review by abbie_
They Called Me a Lioness: A Palestinian Girl's Fight for Freedom by Dena Takruri, Ahed Tamimi

emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

4.5

A powerful memoir from a girl who’s lived through, and continues to live through, something no teenager, no child, no person ever should. Ahed Tamimi is a young Palestinian girl from Nabi Saleh, a village which is surrounded by illegal settlements and which became famous for its weekly nonviolent protests against the Jewish-only settlement blocking access to the village’s community spring. She was later arrested at a mere 16 years old for slapping an Israeli soldier for trespassing on their family’s land. 

Ahed’s story is not about us, not about the west, but you can’t help but think - what was I doing at 16? Worrying about GCSEs, complaining about chores, absolutely benign stuff. Certainly not having your rights violated as a minor in an Israeli prison. Ahed is crystal clear throughout that she does not wish to be viewed, or have any Palestinian viewed, as a victim, even as the occupation inflicts horror after horror upon the indigenous population. She is a freedom fighter, resisting the occupation any way she can, and her steadfastness and devotion to the Palestinian cause is incredible to witness. She’s outspoken and unafraid to challenge authority.

I knew in theory that Israel is an apartheid state, but some of Ahed’s examples and experiences really hammer it home in case you were still (how?) unconvinced. Things like Palestinians being forced to carry ID cards of a different colour to Israelis, and Palestinian cars, distinguishable by their white registration plates to Israelis’ yellow, not being allowed to drive on certain roads designated for Israeli use only. 

The most powerful part of this memoir is how, despite the horrific violence and injustices Palestinians witness every day, they are taught by their parents and grandparents not to let fear control them. Their resistance is not fuelled by hatred. They resist the occupation because they love life, and deserve to live a life of freedom on their own land. 

I’d say it’s more a personal memoir with some political context given, but definitely seek out other works, like the 100 Year War on Palestine for one, for a broader context. 
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