Palestinian girl who defied Israeli soldiers gets courage award

Visiting Turkey as the guest of İstanbul's Başakşehir Municipality, 13-year-old Tamimi attended a series of events ahead of the award ceremony including the opening of an art exhibition titled “Being Children in Palestine.”

Speaking at the ceremony she thanked Turkish children for welcoming her as one of their own, and called on Palestinian children to stand firm.

Tamimi said she was proud to get the Handala Award, which would enhance her strength. She recalled raising her fists against the soldiers and said she thought she could make Palestine free.

Tamimi said she would like to become a lawyer in order to contribute to the Palestinian cause.

The Handala Courage Award, handed out by the Başakşehir Municipality, was named after the cartoon character Handala, created by Palestinian cartoonist Naji Salim al-Ali -- noted for the political criticism of Arab regimes and Israel in his work. Handala, a 10-year-old boy, has become an icon of Palestinian identity and defiance.