Holy Land: Israeli settlers target Palestinian children

Ayed Abu Eqtaish from Defence for Children International writes: We are just a few months into 2021 and my team has already documented four incidents involving Israeli settlers physically attacking Palestinian children.cIsraeli settlers attacked 10-year-old Hala outside her home, hitting her in the face with a rock.

At least 30 Israeli settlers, some armed, attacked a Palestinian family planting olive trees, including sisters Rafeef, 10, and eight-year-old Alanoud.

While driving to Tubas, a Palestinian family was attacked by Israeli settlers resulting in the hospitalization of three-year-old Jad.

And in Hebron, a Palestinian city filled with illegal Israeli settlements, an Israeli settler assaulted 13-year-old Haitham.

While each of these stories is devastating, they are not unique: Defense for Children International - Palestine has documented 73 Israeli settler attacks targeting Palestinian children since 2015. Since impunity reigns and settlers are rarely, if ever, held accountable for attacking Palestinians, justice seems out of reach.

Please join me in sharing these children's stories of survival on Facebook and Twitter. No child should experience violence in any way, ever, and we must remain committed to holding those who perpetrate violence accountable for their actions.

Ayed Abu Eqtaish is Accountability Program Director for Defence for Children International - Palestine.

Read Hala, Rafeef, Alanoud, Jad, and Haitham's stories and more, HERE.