Is Not The Future About Children

There is a lot that happens in the West Bank that is shocking, and yet has become a way of living for people.  As an ecumenical accompanier we most often don’t see things happening firsthand, and even when we do, it is hard to understand or really know, but there is much that is disturbing.

What is clear is that the military comes into towns and villages, setting up post on the roof of civilian’s houses, using tear gas and skunk water (sewage that lingers in the air for a day or more) as well as sound bombs and sometimes live ammunition.  I hear many stories of the army coming into houses at night—sometimes knocking and other times just quietly opening the door so people wake surrounded by soldiers.  It would seem that having this happen even once, would be enough for a lifetime of nightmares. People say they often wake up from nightmares thinking that soldiers are in the room. The trauma must be deep.

Last week, we visited a 17 year old who had been beaten by soldiers.  He said he was on his way from his house for a ten minutes’ walk to get falafels for his family.  He came upon the military who had just entered town.