Information I received today has horrified me further regarding the plight of the people of Palestine. On the way to school this morning, in an area that is supposed to be under the sole control of Palestine, Israeli border police forcibly seized and detained 7 year old boy Oday Rajabi, in reply to stones being thrown by six young school children towards a checkpoint.
In a rapid response, a group of border police rushed from a nearby road and more ran down from the checkpoint, throwing two stun grenades and approximately three tear gas canisters towards the children standing by the school.
Two border police seized a 12 year old by the name of Yousef Hajajreh by the neck, while two more grabbed the seven year old by his arms and feet and carried him to be detained for nearly an hour. The 12 year old was arrested and put into a police car.
Nearby adults rushed to the aid of the children, including two of the employees of the UN school, but a teacher (Abd al-Aziz Hmad Rjob) was placed in a headlock when he tried to control Oday, who was crying hysterically, dragged away from the scene and subsequently arrested. The other employee, Malak Salaymeh, confronted the soldiers at the checkpoint with other locals and internationals, and the 18 year old was arrested while another man was briefly detained.
The three that were arrested were released about three hours later.
In a statement, Shukri Zaroo, another teacher, said "The school is going through a very difficult period right now as the children are having problems comprehending the material. Their understanding is affected due to their emotional state and the stress due to the daily attacks by the occupation forces, which are continuously escalating. There are also a percentage of children who are late for school, who run away from school, and some who avoid school altogether, because coming to school is such a stressful and frightening experience for them." source: UN
This is not an isolated incident. There are many accounts of Israeli police using tear gas and stun grenades on children, often targetting them on their way to school in the morning. Frankly I find this completely unacceptable, immoral, disgusting, and without question an unlawful use of excessive force. Many parents in the UK and Europe find the school run stressful, whether it be due to the morning rush at home, or trafficfromparents that could easily walk their children, or the tantrums of the children themselves. Imagine facing this next time you take your children to school, or even them facing it alone.
The lack of action by the United Nations is criminal in itself, you would think at the very least they would want to protect their assets. Speaking of another attack in August, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that it " is yet another gross violation of international humanitarian law, which clearly requires protection by both parties of Palestinian civilians, UN staff and UN premises, among other civilian facilities, United Nations shelters must be safe zones not combat zones. This attack, along with other breaches of international law, must be swiftly investigated and those responsible held accountable. It is a moral outrage and a criminal act.”
Surely actions, not words, must be taken at this point, there are varying opinions on the death and casualty toll, but without a doubt too much civilian life is being lost in Palestine.
Watch the video here.
Information Courtesy of International Solidarity Movement.
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