Children’s NGO representative: Palestinians present kids who were killed by Israel as belonging to a particular nationalist faction, instead of presenting their human side
Official PA TV program Palestine This Morning, interview with Defense for Children International Palestine’s Accountability Program Director Ayed Abu Qteish, for UN Universal Children’s Day on Nov. 20
Defense for Children International Palestine’s Accountability Program Director Ayed Abu Qteish: “Over 99% of the Palestinian children who are killed as Martyrs (Shahids) are killed without directly taking part in clashes [with Israelis], but we as Palestinians are always trying to present the heroic side, in other words, that he [this child] is a member of this or that organization, when he is not a member of any organization. Fine, it’s good to educate our children about the nationalist spirit through the family, the curricula, the society, and the institutions-(interrupted by host).”
Official PA TV host: “The child does not pose any danger to an army armed with weapons from head to toe.”
Ayed Abu Qteish: “Certainly.”
Host: “That is what’s strange.”
Ayed Abu Qteish: “If we compare how the Israelis behave in this matter, [they say about] everyone who dies that he loved to engage in volunteer activity, or that he was a member of some sort of club, and the like. The human side, which is actually the interesting side, is lacking in the Palestinian story of presenting the victims.”
Defense for Children International Palestine’s Accountability Program Director Ayed Abu Qteish: “Over 99% of the Palestinian children who are killed as Martyrs (Shahids) are killed without directly taking part in clashes [with Israelis], but we as Palestinians are always trying to present the heroic side, in other words, that he [this child] is a member of this or that organization, when he is not a member of any organization. Fine, it’s good to educate our children about the nationalist spirit through the family, the curricula, the society, and the institutions-(interrupted by host).”
Official PA TV host: “The child does not pose any danger to an army armed with weapons from head to toe.”
Ayed Abu Qteish: “Certainly.”
Host: “That is what’s strange.”
Ayed Abu Qteish: “If we compare how the Israelis behave in this matter, [they say about] everyone who dies that he loved to engage in volunteer activity, or that he was a member of some sort of club, and the like. The human side, which is actually the interesting side, is lacking in the Palestinian story of presenting the victims.”