In Episode 47 of The Enlightenment Podcast, Shamim and Hanan are joined by Ahed Tamimi, the iconic Palestinian girl, national hero, freedom fighter, and symbol of resistance whose unwavering defiance in the face of Israeli military occupation has inspired people around the world.
As a teenager, Ahed became internationally known when videos of her confronting heavily armed Israeli soldiers in her village of Nabi Saleh went viral. Her courage and dignity in those moments made her a global symbol of Palestinian resistance—described by many as “the face of Palestinian defiance.”
Now in her early twenties, Ahed continues her activism on the ground in the occupied West Bank. She previously pursued international law at Birzeit University, driven by her commitment to justice and Palestinian liberation. Although she ultimately chose not to complete the degree, her pursuit of education remains part of a broader resistance—one shaped by relentless restrictions on her freedom and movement under occupation.
Her powerful memoir, They Called Me a Lioness, co-written with Dena Takruri, offers a gripping and emotional portrait of life under occupation—where childhood, resistance, and survival are inseparable.
In this deeply moving episode, Ahed reflects on growing up under military rule, the emotional weight of being a national symbol, and how she continues to fight—through storytelling, advocacy, and an unshakable love for her people.
Ahed’s Work:
📘 They Called Me a Lioness: A Memoir
→ https://www.amazon.com/They-Called-Me-Lioness-Palestinian/dp/0593134583
Dena Takruri on Social Media:
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/denatakruri/
X (Twitter) → https://x.com/dena
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/denatakruri/
Enlightenment Podcast Social Media:
https://feedlinks.link/enlightenmentpodcast
#TheEnlightenmentPodcast #AhedTamimi #TheyCalledMeALioness #PalestinianResistance #FreePalestine #BirzeitUniversity #YouthActivism #LegalAdvocacy #JusticeForPalestine #LifeUnderOccupation #DecolonizeNow #PalestinianVoices #EndTheOccupation #PalestinianLiberation #SymbolOfResistance