The Israeli military court extended on Tuesday the detention of Palestinian teenager Ahed al-Tamimi to March. Tamimi, 17, is held for slapping Israeli soldiers. The incident, caught on video, went viral and has since turned the teen into a hero of the Palestinian cause. The judge in the trial ordered journalists removed from the courtroom, ruling that open proceedings would not be in the interest of Tamimi, who is being tried as a minor. Trials of minors in military court are typically closed, but Tamimis lawyer said previous hearings for the teenager were open and she argued for it to remain that way. "They understand that people outside Ofer military court are interested in Aheds case, they understand that her rights are being infringed and her trial is something that shouldnt be happening," Tamimis lawyer Gaby Lasky told journalists after having unsuccessfully objected to the judges decision to close the trial. "So the way to keep it out of everybodys eyes is to close doors and not allow people inside the court for her hearing." Tamimi has been hailed as a hero by Palestinians who see her as bravely standing up to Israels occupation of the West Bank. Israelis accuse her family of using her as a pawn in staged provocations. She has been charged with 12 counts including assault and could face a lengthy jail term if convicted. The charges relate to events in the video and five other incidents. They include stone-throwing, incitement and making threats.