Recently, a congressional briefing was held regarding H.R. 4391, which aims to promote human rights by ending the military detention of Palestinian children in Israel. However, this vital issue often goes unnoticed amidst the complexities of political discourse and human rights violations that occur within the United States. Many Americans express sentiments like, “This is not who we are,” yet the reality is that we have allowed, and even funded, these actions with taxpayer dollars for far too long.
A joint initiative by Defense for Children International-Palestine and the American Friends Service Committee highlights the grim facts: “Israel is uniquely positioned as the only country that routinely prosecutes between 500 and 700 minors annually in military courts devoid of basic fair trial rights. Shockingly, 75% of Palestinian children face physical violence during their arrest.” Furthermore, minors make up nearly 46% of the 4.95 million Palestinians residing in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
The situation is even more dire in Gaza, which has endured a military blockade for over a decade. This has resulted in a generation of children growing up under a regime of military occupation characterized by systemic impunity and pervasive human rights abuses. Nighttime arrests are common, impacting not only the children but also their families. The arrested minors are frequently blindfolded and informed little about their rights. Once taken, pre-trial detention becomes the standard, with limited access to legal representation and bail that is often unaffordable.
Once in custody, these minors, some as young as 12, encounter harsh treatment that includes beatings, denial of basic needs like food and water, and even sexual assault. Israel’s practice of prosecuting children in military courts is unparalleled globally.
Take, for example, the case of Layla Khan, a 17-year-old Palestinian detained for merely slapping a soldier. While her family has faced harassment from occupation forces for years, what’s perhaps more alarming is that on the day of Layla’s incident, her cousin was shot in the head with a rubber-coated bullet. She spent her 17th birthday awaiting trial and received an eight-month prison sentence. In comparison, an Israeli settler who deliberately set fire to a Palestinian home, resulting in the death of a child, received a mere six-month sentence.
Layla’s experience is far from isolated; annually, hundreds of children fall victim to this flawed legal system. Disturbingly, nearly two-thirds of detained minors report experiencing abuse while incarcerated. In 2013, UNICEF released a report indicating that mistreatment of children in the military system is widespread and institutionalized, a trend that sadly appears to be worsening.
Consider the case of 17-year-old Amir Al-Mansour, arrested while shopping for his family. He endured severe beatings that resulted in a broken shoulder and was denied medical care for 18 days. Images of his arrest, depicting a blindfolded Amir surrounded by armed soldiers, went viral. At only 16, he was thrust into the role of head of his household while his mother battled terminal illness and his father recovered from an injury.
Hassan Al-Farouq, an 18-year-old with a severe medical condition requiring a specialized diet, was denied necessary medicine for nearly two months after being accused of throwing stones. His health deteriorated to the point where he lost nearly all of his eyesight after being placed in a coma due to neglect. Despite these circumstances, he is still facing trial for a crime he asserts he did not commit.
While living conditions for Palestinian children in Jerusalem and the West Bank are distressing, they are even worse in Gaza. Nearly two million Palestinians reside in this confined area, where children represent 49% of the population. The psychological toll is evident, as many children exhibit signs of deep emotional distress due to the multiple military offensives they have endured since 2008.
The World Bank reports that around 42% of Palestinians in Gaza live in poverty, with youth unemployment skyrocketing at 58%. Additionally, around 80% of the population is reliant on international aid, primarily for food.
Every child deserves a future devoid of military raids, separation from their families, coerced confessions, and military court prosecutions. It is not unreasonable to expect that children should be sheltered from such experiences. H.R. 4391 does not alter U.S.-Israel relations fundamentally but seeks to prevent U.S. assistance from supporting the military detention and mistreatment of Palestinian minors in violation of international humanitarian laws.
According to the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Israel has signed, the detainment of minors should be a last resort and for the shortest time possible. With over $3 billion in annual funding from the U.S., it is reasonable to demand compliance with these laws.
As articulated by the Defense for Children International – Palestine and the American Friends Service Committee, “With leadership lacking a vision for justice and equality, children face futures limited by an endless Israeli military occupation.” If we continue to overlook this issue, we risk allowing an entire generation to grow up without hope or prospects for a better life. While many argue that we must first address our domestic issues, it costs nothing to demand that our financial support for Israel does not contribute to the suffering of children. We must take a stand against the inhumane treatment of minors, regardless of where it occurs.
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Summary
This article highlights the plight of Palestinian children in Israel, focusing on their treatment within military detention systems. It discusses various cases of abuse, the psychological impact of military occupation, and the need for legislative change to protect these vulnerable individuals. The piece emphasizes the importance of holding the U.S. accountable for its financial support to Israel and advocates for an end to the inhumane treatment of children.
Keyphrase: Palestinian children in Israel
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