Congressional Letter Opposes Israeli Detentions Of Palestinian Children

A Palestinian child walks through the home of Ehab Maswada that was demolished by the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Hebron, Thursday, March 31, 2016. Maswada fatally stabbed an Israeli civilian in the West Bank city of Hebron late last year. Israel says home demolitions are an effective tool to deter attacks, but critics say the tactic amounts to collective punishment.
A Palestinian child walks through the home of Ehab Maswada that was demolished by the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Hebron in March. Nasser Shiyoukhi / AP Photo
A Palestinian child walks through the home of Ehab Maswada that was demolished by the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Hebron, Thursday, March 31, 2016. Maswada fatally stabbed an Israeli civilian in the West Bank city of Hebron late last year. Israel says home demolitions are an effective tool to deter attacks, but critics say the tactic amounts to collective punishment.
A Palestinian child walks through the home of Ehab Maswada that was demolished by the Israeli army in the West Bank city of Hebron in March. Nasser Shiyoukhi / AP Photo

Congressional Letter Opposes Israeli Detentions Of Palestinian Children

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Twenty Congress members have signed a letter urging President Obama to protect the rights of Palestinian children and urging him to appoint a “special envoy for Palestinian youth”.

The lawmakers are concerned about Israeli imprisonment of Palestinian children as young as 12, sometimes without charge or trial. UNICEF, the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem, Human Rights Watch and other rights groups accuse the Israeli government of systematic abuse of Palestinian children.

The Israeli government rejects these claims and calls its actions necessary for Israel’s security. We talk with Nawal Musleh, a Palestinian-American who just got back from a trip to Palestine/Israel, where she met with detained kids and visited a former prison. We’re also joined by Rabbi Joseph Berman, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace in Washington DC. He was on the delegation with Nawal.