Report: Use of children in terrorist acts overstated by Israeli media

Published: 2004-08-06

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- A Catholic researcher said the ages of Palestinian children recruited to take part in violent attacks against Israeli targets are often distorted by the Israeli government and media. Jihad Shomaly, a researcher for Defense for Children International-Palestine Section, said his research found that the youths accused of participating in violent acts were often older than the ages reported to the public. Shomaly, who interviewed several leaders of Palestinian militant organizations, said the leaders told him that some of the youngsters take it upon themselves to carry out attacks because they "believe they are fighting for a cause." "If a child sees his family humiliated every day, if he sees his house demolished, if his father is in jail ... what shall we expect from these children?" Shomaly told Catholic News Service. "In most cases the children are in jail because they want to take revenge ... and they will continue as long as occupation continues." In a telephone interview following the Aug. 2 release of the report, "Use of Children in the Occupied Palestinian Territories," Shomaly said that since the start of the intifada, or Palestinian uprising, there have been 22 cases of Palestinians ages 14-17 killed during involvement in armed attacks against Israelis. Four were involved in suicide attacks, 15 in attacks on Israeli settlements and three while participating in armed battles.

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