from Mondoweiss

KUFR QADDUM, West Bank -- During the past six month, Israeli forces have
injured more than 2,177 Palestinian children in direct conflict,
according to documentation by the United Nations.

On March 13,
11-year-old Khalid Ishtawy joined the thousands of other children
injured by Israeli forces, when he was shot in the thigh in the northern
occupied West Bank village of Kufr Qaddum.

The bullet exploded and embedded itself inside Khalid’s leg, causing a full fracture, according to the boy’s doctor.

Kufr
Qaddum’s popular movement, known for its rather intense weekly Friday
protests against Israel’s blockade of the village’s main road, which
leads to the economic hub of Nablus, is a leader in the West Bank’s
popular resistance.

Khalid’s father, Murad, is a community
leader in Kufr Qaddum and spokesperson for the Fatah movement in
Qalqiliya. Murad showed Mondoweiss around the protest, and introduced us
to other children his son’s age who participate.

Murad said
that while children are encouraged to come to the weekly demonstrations,
they are not allowed at the front of the protest.

Murad also
added that he knows the international community criticize’s and
question’s the role of children at such demonstrations, but stressed
that Palestinians in the occupied territory are trying hard to balance
keeping their children safe, without teaching them to live in fear of
the occupying power that surrounds their lives.

“We don’t push
our children to face this ‘very strong army’ as the Israelis consider
themselves,” he said. “When we feel danger, we push our children behind
us to keep them safe.”

“We want them to have all rights as any
of the children around the world. They are the same children. The child
in Palestine, or the child in Israel, all the children in the world are
the same children,” he said.

Video: Abed Al Qaisi and Sheren Khalel