17-year-old Palestinian resistance activist Ahed Tamimi was released from prison on Sunday by Israeli forces. Tamimi was arrested and served an eight-month sentence after a video of her slapping Israeli soldiers went viral. Her case received international condemnation and sparked countless protests.

Ahed Tamimi was released alongside her mother, Nariman, who also served an eight-month sentence. As they made their way to their village, Nabi Saleh, they were greeted by an emotional and jubilant crowd filled with neighbors, activists and international media.

Tamimi thanked the crowd for their support and shared she was “extremely happy.”

She shares, “My happiness is not complete without my sisters [Palestinian female prisoners], who are not with me. I hope that they will also be free.”

Tamimi continues, “In the end, I want to say that the power is with the people, and the people will and can decide their destiny and decide the future. Women are a key part of the Palestinian struggle for freedom, and the women’s role will continue to expand, not only in the struggle but by producing new generations that can continue the struggle. We say: ‘Leave, leave occupation.'”

Nariman Tamimi shares, “As a parent, I want to say that we shouldn’t be afraid of our children and we should support them in whatever they choose to do. They are being killed whether in our homes or resisting in the streets, so support them in resistance.”