The risk of losing a family member or home, arbitrary detention and chronic malnutrition are some of the most traumatic legacies of the Israeli occupation resulting from the June 1967 war that continue to haunt all Palestinian children 40 years on.
Tuesday 5 June 2007
These legacies continue despite the fact that Israel is signatory to, and has obligations under, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Fighting for children's rights
Just as refugee children bore the brunt of conflict when Israeli forces occupied the West Bank (including east Jerusalem), Gaza, as well as Lebanese, Syrian and Egyptian territory, so today's youngest generation remain particularly exposed to continuous violations of their fundamental rights. Save the Children remains particularly concerned that responsible parties take into account the best interests of the child, as their living conditions slide into chronic humanitarian crisis and their exposure to violence increases. Parents and adults often are not able to provide appropriate protection for their children.
Recently, the renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza in late May which resulted in 44 Palestinians killed, including five children, and 113 injured, reflect how terribly exposed these children are. During the same period, Palestinian militant groups continued to fire homemade rockets into Israel proper, resulting in one death, again highlighting the vulnerabilities of both populations as the occupation continues.
The international community must act
The international community has a legal and moral obligation to safeguard these children's lives, and to press for resolving the issues that can help all children in the long term, including the right of return and self determination. All parties should contribute proactively to peace negotiations in order to provide comprehensive and final settlement to the conflict and a safe future for the children living in the Middle East region.
Save the Children calls on Israel and the international community to implement related United Nations resolutions and uphold their responsibilities under international human rights and humanitarian law.
In addition, Save the Children calls on the donor community to fulfill their commitments towards the children in the occupied Palestinian territory and the children throughout the region.