Six Decades of Oppression in Palestine

TEHRAN, Oct. 1, 2007 (MNA) -- September 30 was the seventh anniversary of the martyrdom of Muhammad al-Durrah, a 12-year-old Palestinian boy who was shot in Gaza by Zionist soldiers while in his father’s arms.

Israel is not protecting Palestinian children as is required according to the Geneva Convention’s rules for the treatment of civilians in occupied territories.

The cruel murder of Muhammad al-Durrah, which greatly moved all people of conscience, was only one of the thousands of crimes committed by the Israelis in over half a century of occupation.

Palestinian children are frequently targeted by Israeli snipers. The occupiers have also used tear gas against the Palestinians, which has sometimes caused miscarriages.

Israeli death squads even shoot students at school. Since the beginning of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, Israelis have killed hundreds of Palestinian children, some even before they were born.

The occupying army targets Palestinian children at school, in playgrounds, and even in their bedrooms. The Zionist regime’s crimes against children in camps, villages, and towns in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are well documented. Many children have been killed by Israeli gunfire, tanks, and missiles, and thousands more have been wounded or arrested.

Some of these children suffer permanent disabilities as a result of their injuries.

And Palestinian mothers are well aware of the danger Israeli tanks, patrols, and bulldozers pose to their children.

Many children who have witnessed scenes of murder and destruction are now experiencing psychological trauma. Even children who view such scenes on television are prone to psychological problems.

There are reports that at least eight Zionist death squads are covertly conducting activities in the West Bank, targeting Palestinian civilians, and especially school students, on a daily basis.

Have Israeli leaders ever heard the cries of the children they have killed and tortured?

A glance at Israeli schoolbooks, which are filled with animosity and promote murder and violence, can answer this question and explain the mindset of Zionists.

However, some voices of reason have arisen in the Jewish community.

Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth Sir Jonathan Sacks has explicitly condemned the Israeli policy toward Palestinian children.

The situation is terrible, is against Jewish values, and runs contrary to Jewish teaching, Sacks said.

He has also expressed abhorrence at the sight of a photo showing Zionist soldiers laughing over the dead body of a Palestinian civilian.

After six decades of the Zionist regime’s oppression, popular resistance like the Intifada is the only correct response.

Thus, all people of conscience should attend the demonstrations being held throughout the world this Friday for International Qods Day to show support for the Palestinian nation’s struggle for self-determination.