children suicide bombers in the middle east terrorism by dina catson saratov state university

Children Suicide Children Suicide Bombers In The Bombers In The

Middle East TerrorismMiddle East Terrorism

by Dina Catsonby Dina Catson

Saratov State Saratov State UniversityUniversity

Historical backgroundHistorical background

The beginning of Intifada II The beginning of Intifada II (October, 2000) - a beginning of (October, 2000) - a beginning of using children in terrorists’ using children in terrorists’ activityactivity

The Laws about childrenThe Laws about children

SourceSource: : http://www.israelnewsagency.com/israelpalestinianchildren120366.htmlhttp://www.israelnewsagency.com/israelpalestinianchildren120366.html

The Convention on the Rights of the Child(CRC, 1989), The Convention on the Rights of the Child(CRC, 1989), Additional Protocols to the four Geneva Conventions of Additional Protocols to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, Rome Statute of the International Criminal 1949, Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court 1998 set Court 1998 set 15 as the minimum age15 as the minimum age for recruitment for recruitment or use in armed conflict. or use in armed conflict.

The Art.4 (CRC): “armed groups that are distinct from The Art.4 (CRC): “armed groups that are distinct from the armed forces of a state should not use children in the armed forces of a state should not use children in armed conflict. armed conflict.

Palestinian Authority, Palestinian Authority, 20022002Palestinian, 17 years Palestinian, 17 years

old, attacked at the old, attacked at the hitchhiking stop in the hitchhiking stop in the French Hill (June 19, French Hill (June 19, 2002). 2002). 77 citizens citizens were were killedkilled and and 37 injured37 injured..

17 years old teens 17 years old teens carried out a carried out a suicide suicide attack(January 25, attack(January 25, 2002) 2002) 2323 people people were injured.were injured.

SourceSource: : http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/mfaarchive/2000_2009/2003/1/participation%20ofhttp://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/mfaarchive/2000_2009/2003/1/participation%20of%20children%20and%20teenagers%20in%20terrori%20children%20and%20teenagers%20in%20terrori

Palestinian Authority, Palestinian Authority, 2002 (continued)2002 (continued)

A A 15 year old15 year old girl (April girl (April 2002) planned to carry 2002) planned to carry out a out a suicide attacksuicide attack with with the help of her uncle who the help of her uncle who recruited her to the recruited her to the Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades. Fatah's Al-Aqsa Brigades.

A A 13 year old13 year old youth is youth is suspected suspected of having been of having been recruitedrecruited (March, (March, 2002)2002) in order in order to perpetrate to perpetrate a suicide attacka suicide attack within within Israel. Israel. The attack was The attack was preventedprevented

A A school backpack school backpack containing containing explosive devices ready for useexplosive devices ready for use

SourceSource::http://http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/mfaarchive/2000_2009/www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/mfaarchive/2000_2009/2003/1/participation%20of%20children%20and%2003/1/participation%20of%20children%20and%20teenagers%20in%20terrori20teenagers%20in%20terrori

These examples are only a few These examples are only a few elements of the systematic elements of the systematic preparation of children to preparation of children to

carry out terrorists’ attack.carry out terrorists’ attack.

Analysis of the causes of Analysis of the causes of children terrorism in children terrorism in Palestinian AuthorityPalestinian Authority

Mass-mediaMass-media Education processEducation process CultureCulture Political leadershipPolitical leadership Approval of Approval of

terrorism from terrorism from the the parentsthe the parents

Religious Religious leadershipleadership

Economic factorEconomic factor

SourceSource: : http://www.israelnewsagency.com/palestinianterrorismchildren120314.htmlhttp://www.israelnewsagency.com/palestinianterrorismchildren120314.html

Mass-Media InfluenceMass-Media Influence

clear-planned clear-planned propagationpropagation of of film-clips for film-clips for children, teaching children, teaching them that violence them that violence and Shahadaand Shahada are are role models which role models which are expected of are expected of them.them.


Mass Media Influence Mass Media Influence

Children’s Internet Children’s Internet magazine “Al-Fateh” magazine “Al-Fateh”

""Suicide BomberSuicide Bomber Zainab Abu Salem: Her Zainab Abu Salem: Her head separated from her pure body, head separated from her pure body, and her Ra'ala (Muslim headscarf) and her Ra'ala (Muslim headscarf)

remains to decorate (her face). remains to decorate (her face). Her Her place is in paradiseplace is in paradise, where in the , where in the

highest heavens, Zainab ... sister (who highest heavens, Zainab ... sister (who has been raised to the level) of men.".has been raised to the level) of men.".

Source: Source: Frankfurter, David. “Headless hostess, Hamas-style” ( November 1, 2004)Frankfurter, David. “Headless hostess, Hamas-style” ( November 1, 2004)

http://web.http://web.israelinsiderisraelinsider.com/Views/4329..com/Views/4329.htmhtm

Educational process Educational process

Textbooks

Class lessons

Summer camps

University SourceSource::http://www.israelnewsagency.com/palestinianterrorismchildren120314.htmlhttp://www.israelnewsagency.com/palestinianterrorismchildren120314.html

Educational processEducational process

"The Poem of the "The Poem of the Shahid" :Shahid" :

““By your life! I see my death, but By your life! I see my death, but I hasten my steps towards it .. By I hasten my steps towards it .. By your life! your life! This is the death of This is the death of menmen, and who asks for a noble , and who asks for a noble death – here it is…”death – here it is…”

from schoolbooks for grades 5, 6, 7, and 12from schoolbooks for grades 5, 6, 7, and 12..

Source: Marcus, Itamar. “Ask for Death!"”Source: Marcus, Itamar. “Ask for Death!"” http://www.http://www.pmwpmw.org..org.ilil/ASK%20FOR%20DEATH./ASK%20FOR%20DEATH.htmhtm

Educational process (continued)Educational process (continued)

Summer campsSummer camps The camp’s participants The camp’s participants

come to the home of the come to the home of the ShahidsShahids

Displaying the pictures of Displaying the pictures of “martyrs” during teaching “martyrs” during teaching history of Islamhistory of Islam

Train in the use of Train in the use of weaponsweapons for future for future terrorist attacks against terrorist attacks against Israel.Israel.

Phenomenon of children Phenomenon of children participating in paradesparticipating in parades while while dressed as "martyrs"dressed as "martyrs"

SourceSource::http://www.israelnewsagency.com/palestinianhttp://www.israelnewsagency.com/palestinianterrorismchildren120314.htmlterrorismchildren120314.html

Educational process Educational process (continued)(continued)

Textbooks

Class lessons

Summer camps

University SourceSource: : http://www.israelnewsagency.com/palestinianterrorismchildren120314.htmlhttp://www.israelnewsagency.com/palestinianterrorismchildren120314.html

CultureCulture SongsSongs

Necklace-pendants Necklace-pendants with pictures of with pictures of Palestinian suicide Palestinian suicide bombersbombers

Source:http://www.pmw.org.il/murder.htm#universalSource:http://www.pmw.org.il/murder.htm#universal

The text on the posters The text on the posters reads: “The Fatah reads: “The Fatah Movement ... Movement ... proudly eulogize their proudly eulogize their heroine Martyr, from the heroine Martyr, from the Alamari refugeeAlamari refugee camp, the martyr Wafa camp, the martyr Wafa Idris.”Idris.”

Political leadershipPolitical leadership

Jasser Arafat Jasser Arafat presented the presented the actions of actions of children who children who intentionally intentionally died as died as Shahids as Shahids as model of model of behaviorbehavior

SourceSource: : http://www.phrmg.org/news.htmhttp://www.phrmg.org/news.htm

Political leadershipPolitical leadership

Jasser Arafat words:Jasser Arafat words:

““this childthis child, who is grasping the , who is grasping the stone, facing the tank, stone, facing the tank, is it not is it not the greatest message to the the greatest message to the

world when that hero becomes a world when that hero becomes a ShahidShahid? We are proud of them…“? We are proud of them…“

Source: Source: PA official daily, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, (Nov. 30, 2000, Feb. 3, 2001)PA official daily, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, (Nov. 30, 2000, Feb. 3, 2001)

Parent’s approvalParent’s approval

Shahid Mothers’ wordsShahid Mothers’ words Mother of 17-year-old Mother of 17-year-old

Shahid, Shahid, who killed 5 Israeli who killed 5 Israeli

teenagers:teenagers:

“ “If I allow my son to change If I allow my son to change his mind it would not be his mind it would not be right. I do not want to right. I do not want to follow mother’s feelings. I follow mother’s feelings. I mean: I mean: I sacrificed him for sacrificed him for something greatersomething greater..

Source: PATV, (September 24, 2002). Source: PATV, (September 24, 2002).

Even something like this is connected Even something like this is connected to motherhood. How?to motherhood. How? Because I loveBecause I love

my son...”my son...”

Source: http://www.pmw.org.il/ASK%20FOR%20DEATH.htmSource: http://www.pmw.org.il/ASK%20FOR%20DEATH.htm

Religious leadershipReligious leadership

Through Through religion classes religion classes and televised and televised sermons sermons children are children are called to kill called to kill Jews, especially Jews, especially through suicide through suicide bombings.bombings. Teaching that seeking death for Allah as Teaching that seeking death for Allah as

a Shahid is every Moslem’s dutya Shahid is every Moslem’s duty

Source:httpSource:http://www.pmw.org.il/murder.htm#universa://www.pmw.org.il/murder.htm#universa

Religious leadershipReligious leadership

““we we blow ourselves up willingly and as blow ourselves up willingly and as our dutyour duty …’ We will blow Jews up... …’ We will blow Jews up... so so

that Allah will make us masters over that Allah will make us masters over this riff-raffthis riff-raff

We will fight against them and rule over We will fight against them and rule over them them

Blessings upon he who educates his sons in Blessings upon he who educates his sons in the path of Jihad and Shahada!”the path of Jihad and Shahada!”

Source: Source: Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Madi, Friday sermon, PATV, (August 3, 2001)Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Madi, Friday sermon, PATV, (August 3, 2001)

Economic factorEconomic factor Existing of unemployment and poverty Existing of unemployment and poverty

of the majority of the Palestinians of the majority of the Palestinians ((annual income of the PA is $1,350annual income of the PA is $1,350))

Arab Liberation Front, a Palestinian Arab Liberation Front, a Palestinian groupgroup pays:pays:

$500$500 for a wound for a wound $1,000$1,000 for disability for disability $10,000$10,000 to the family of each martyr to the family of each martyr $25,000$25,000 to the family of every martyr to the family of every martyr

suicide bomber..suicide bomber..

Analysis of the causes of Analysis of the causes of children terrorism in children terrorism in Palestinian Authority Palestinian Authority

(continued)(continued)


None of listed None of listed theories can’t be theories can’t be correct taken correct taken separately from othersseparately from others

Terrorism is caused Terrorism is caused by negative influence by negative influence in all spheres of in all spheres of social life.social life.

Prospective Prospective ссonnection of onnection of terrorism in PA with other terrorism in PA with other

countriescountries

to support PA’s budget PA hasto support PA’s budget PA has received:received: from the EU from the EU $4 ,9billion$4 ,9billion

From the UK From the UK $47 million$47 million

Summer camps named after ShahidsSummer camps named after Shahids were were fundedfunded by UNICEF (“Shahid camp in Dir Al-Ballah”, by UNICEF (“Shahid camp in Dir Al-Ballah”, “Shahids of Chattin”)“Shahids of Chattin”)

Source:http://www.pmw.org.il/murder.htm#universaSource:http://www.pmw.org.il/murder.htm#universa

Ways of explanationWays of explanation

First: UN, EU, UK, US First: UN, EU, UK, US pays no pays no attentionattention to a problem of financing of to a problem of financing of terrorism in PA. terrorism in PA.

Second: Second: terrorism intentionally is terrorism intentionally is supportedsupported and intentionally turned a and intentionally turned a blind eye to the anti-Israeli propagation:blind eye to the anti-Israeli propagation:

- supporting is used to receive the certain - supporting is used to receive the certain control above terrorism (reduce support to control above terrorism (reduce support to reduce terrorismreduce terrorism))

The results as the proofs of the The results as the proofs of the preparation of children to preparation of children to

terrorist's activity.terrorist's activity. Global Report of Coalition Global Report of Coalition

to Stop the Use of Child to Stop the Use of Child

Soldiers 2004: "Soldiers 2004: "there there was no evidence of was no evidence of systematic systematic recruitment recruitment of of children by children by Palestinian armed Palestinian armed groupsgroups””

SourceSource::http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/mfaarchive/http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/mfaarchive/2000_2009/2003/1/participati2000_2009/2003/1/participation%20of%20children%20and%20teenagers%20inon%20of%20children%20and%20teenagers%20in%20terrori%20terrori

The Palestinian children attitude The Palestinian children attitude to the Intifada to the Intifada

Sociological pollsSociological polls

Sociological polls Sociological polls on 1,000 teenagerson 1,000 teenagers between between the the ages of 9–16ages of 9–16 in the Gaza Strip: in the Gaza Strip:

- - First - April, 2001 Dr. Fatsil Abu Hin, First - April, 2001 Dr. Fatsil Abu Hin, produced a poll carried out in the Islamic produced a poll carried out in the Islamic UniversityUniversity

-Second - in 2002-Second - in 2002


First poll: April, 2001First poll: April, 2001

49%49% claimed to have taken an claimed to have taken an active part in the intifada active part in the intifada

90%90% expressed their desire to expressed their desire to participate in intifada activities participate in intifada activities

73%73% expressed the expressed the desire to be desire to be a "shahid"a "shahid"

Second poll in 2002Second poll in 2002

an increase of children's an increase of children's aspiration for becoming aspiration for becoming

shahids by shahids by 6-7%!6-7%!


The results as the proofs of the The results as the proofs of the preparation children to preparation children to

terrorist's activityterrorist's activity

Israeli Defence Force’s (IDF) data of the Israeli Defence Force’s (IDF) data of the involvement of Palestinian children involvement of Palestinian children

in suicide bombings:in suicide bombings:

40 prevented40 prevented suicidesuicide attacks, attacks, 31 suicide attacks31 suicide attacks (20% of all) were not (20% of all) were not

prevented, prevented, 2222 shootings attacks and attacks using shootings attacks and attacks using

explosive devices. explosive devices.

The results as the proofs of the The results as the proofs of the preparation children to preparation children to

terrorist's activityterrorist's activityNew York Times reports:New York Times reports:

“ “25,000 children25,000 children were trained to use of were trained to use of firearms, the making of Molotov cocktails, firearms, the making of Molotov cocktails, the methods of kidnapping”. the methods of kidnapping”.

Source: New York Times ( Aug. 3, 2000)Source: New York Times ( Aug. 3, 2000)

One omissions in IDF's data: One omissions in IDF's data:

- the IDF has killed - the IDF has killed 550 550 children compared to children compared to only only 106 106 Israeli children killed by Israeli children killed by Palestinians. .Palestinians. .

Source: “ Palestinians Again Use Children for Terror Against Israel”, Israel News Agency Staff, Source: “ Palestinians Again Use Children for Terror Against Israel”, Israel News Agency Staff, http://www.israelnewsagency.com/palestinianterrorismchildren120314.htmlhttp://www.israelnewsagency.com/palestinianterrorismchildren120314.html

Distribution of Palestinian Distribution of Palestinian fatalities across age and fatalities across age and

gendergender

Palestinians killed in the al-Aqsa Palestinians killed in the al-Aqsa conflict have been conflict have been basically malebasically male, , and for the most partand for the most part teenagersteenagers. .

SourceSource: : http://www.ict.org.il/articles/researchdet.cfm?researchid=2http://www.ict.org.il/articles/researchdet.cfm?researchid=2

Distribution of Palestinian Distribution of Palestinian fatalities across age and fatalities across age and

gender (continued).gender (continued).

Noncombatants not always Noncombatants not always were passive victims of were passive victims of Israel. Israel.

The element of The element of self-self-selectionselection

The reactionsThe reactions Human Rights Human Rights

Organization: "Using Organization: "Using children to carry out children to carry out or assist in armed or assist in armed attacks of any kind is attacks of any kind is an abomination. We an abomination. We call on the Palestinian call on the Palestinian leadership to publicly leadership to publicly denounce these denounce these practices...practices...

UN, Sweden UN, Sweden condemnedcondemned

using children by using children by terrorist’s groupsterrorist’s groups

PA does little to destroy thePA does little to destroy the phenomenon.phenomenon.

Source: hSource: http://www.gamla.org.il/english/article/2000/oct/s2.htmttp://www.gamla.org.il/english/article/2000/oct/s2.htm

ConclusionConclusion

Using children as suicide bombers Using children as suicide bombers doesn’t cause great military doesn’t cause great military damage damage → → the goal isn’t to kill the goal isn’t to kill as many as possibleas many as possible

― The goal is The goal is to manipulate to manipulate local local and global public opinionand global public opinion

What can be done?What can be done?It’s necessary toIt’s necessary to

destroy “the culture” of children destroy “the culture” of children terrorism. terrorism.

create a law which would impose a create a law which would impose a penalty for propagation of terrorism and penalty for propagation of terrorism and hatred against other hatred against other

create some control of the educational create some control of the educational process by correcting the content of the process by correcting the content of the courses and raising the level of teacher’s courses and raising the level of teacher’s trainingtraining

What can be done?What can be done?It’s necessary toIt’s necessary to

orientate children to the fact that orientate children to the fact that Koran forbids suicide Koran forbids suicide

overcome economic problems in part overcome economic problems in part if the funds which other country give if the funds which other country give PA would go to the economics of the PA would go to the economics of the PA, which wouldn’t include any PA, which wouldn’t include any support for terrorism, even indirect.support for terrorism, even indirect.

THE ENDTHE ENDSourceSource: : http://www.israelnewsagency.com/israelpalestinianchildren120366.htmlhttp://www.israelnewsagency.com/israelpalestinianchildren120366.html

children suicide bombers in the middle east terrorism by dina catson saratov state university

Documents

children source

causes of children terrorism

children suicide bombers

terrori source

use source

terrori slide

parents approval of

terrorists attack