Tali Fahima

Who is Tali Fahima?

Tali Fahima is an Israeli pro-Palestinian activist who was convicted for her contacts with Zakaria Zubeidi, Jenin chief of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. She describes her nationality as Palestinian.

Fahima was born in Kiryat Gat, a development town in the south of Israel, to a family of Algerian Jewish origin. She was one of three daughters born to Sarah Lahiani and Shimon Fahima. After her parents divorced, Fahima her sisters were raised by their mother, who worked in a variety of jobs to support them. After completing her mandatory military service, Fahima moved to Tel Aviv and worked as a legal secretary. Until 2003 she was a Likud supporter; she then read an interview in which Zubeidi described his transformation from peace activist to wanted terrorist; intrigued, she found Zubeidi's phone number, and spoke with him several times. When she learned that Zubeidi was at the top of Israel's list of intended assassinations, she decided to travel to Jenin and live in his home as a human shield. She became involved in the Palestinian children's project in Jenin which featured in the film Arna's Children, along with Zubeidi before his imprisonment. She does not deny that she later met Zubeidi in Jenin a number of times, but she denies any involvement in armed activities. In March 2004 she stated that she was prepared to act as a human shield to protect Zubeidi. Both she and Zubeidi deny the allegation that they had a romantic relationship.