19 January 2018•Update: 19 January 2018
By Ali Abo Rezeg
ANKARA
In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, 16-year-old Fawzi al-Juneidi -- jailed last month by the Israeli authorities -- vowed to continue the popular struggle against Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian land.
“I say to the Israeli occupiers: I will continue taking part in the popular resistance,” al-Juneidi said during a visit to Anadolu Agency’s Ankara headquarters on Thursday, “while simultaneously pursuing my studies”.
“The Israeli authorities arrested me in hopes of deterring other [Palestinian] children from taking part in resistance activities,” he added. “But in this they will fail.”
On Dec. 7, al-Juneidi was detained in the West Bank while demonstrating against U.S. President’s Donald Trump’s decision one day earlier to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Custody
“They started beating me on my arms and chest,” al-Juneidi recalled, describing the first few minutes of his detention.
He added: “And the number of soldiers used to detain me was even more than what appeared in the photo.”
In the immediate wake of his arrest, a photo of the blindfolded youth quickly became a symbol of ongoing Palestinian protests against Washington’s controversial Jerusalem move.
Taken by Anadolu Agency photojournalist Wisam Hashlamoun, the photo later won the agency’s 2017 “Photos of the Year” competition in the news category.
“They didn’t beat me in prison, but they used intimidation tactics,” al-Juneidi said, “like repeatedly pounding on the door of my cell every night.”
As for the now-famous photograph, al-Juneidi said he had finally managed to see the image in an Israeli newspaper some ten days after he was incarcerated.
“I remained in custody for 22 days before finally being released on bail, for which my family paid 10,000 Israeli shekels [roughly $2,800],” said the teen.
Turkey
Al-Juneidi told Anadolu Agency how he had come to Turkey only one day after he was informed by his lawyer that he could travel abroad.
“So we came here to Turkey where we saw how much we are loved by the Turkish people,” he said.
Asked about his Wednesday meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erogan, al-Juneidi said: “He told me how I had become a symbol of Palestinian steadfastness; it was a great moment for me.”
“I have since conveyed my special thanks to President Erdogan and the Palestinian people’s high regard for both him and the Turkish people in general,” al-Juneidi added.
“It’s true that the Turkish people love us,” the teen said. “But believe me, we love them more.”
“After I was released from prison,” he recalled, “I saw President Erdogan showing my photo at conferences.”
Asked if he was following the situation of Ahed al-Tamimi, a 16-year-old Palestinian girl also recently detained by Israel, al-Juneidi said: “I saw Ahed as she was awaiting trial; she looked exhausted.”
He added: “I pray to Allah for her immediate release.”
Al-Juneidi now must appear before an Israeli military court on Feb. 19 to face charges of throwing stones at Israeli soldiers.
According to estimates, some 6,500 Palestinians -- including roughly 300 children -- are currently being held by the Israeli authorities.
