The most difficult questions

Palestinian children are among the primary victims of Israel's vicious war, and the trauma is spreading throughout the Arab world. Rania Khallaf examines reactions
It was 9pm, just two days after the Israeli reinvasion of Bethlehem. It was a family gathering, and the brutal attacks on civilians in the occupied territories was the major topic of discussion. Then someone turned the television on, and the Israeli army, attacking and killing civilians, was in the living room. Dead bodies were scattered on the streets and blood was everywhere. Suddenly, a scream broke the silence. Nine-year-old Farah was crying. "Mum," she said, her voice trembling, "I do not agree with the Israeli invasion, but I do not want any wars in my country. I am scared." Two days later, Farah drew the Israeli flag on a big sheet and burned it. "I was sitting alone at home, watching a movie, but I couldn't concentrate, so I turned to the news on Al-Jazeera and saw Palestinian people. I wanted to do something. I drew the Israeli flag on a big sheet, and burned it. I felt a lot better after that," she said.
Schoolchildren elsewhere in Egypt took to the streets after classes were out. In the Pyramids area, they joined bigger demonstrations, shouting with the adults: "We sacrifice with our soul and blood for you, Palestine."
At a language school in Doqqi, students defy the stereotype according to which relatively more privileged children would be less politically aware than their government- school counterparts and stand in the street after classes to discuss the events in Palestine.
Mustafa Mohamed, 13, a student at Dar Al- Tarbiya, was one of the schoolchildren participating so actively in the demonstration at Cairo University on Monday. "We left our school carrying Palestinian flags and pictures of Mohamed Al-Dorra [the 12-year-old Palestinian boy shot by Israeli troops at the beginning of the Intifada], and we burned the Israeli flag," he said. The security forces treated them like the adult demonstrators, and Mustafa and his friends received a few blows.
Omar Sabri, his schoolmate, advised that "Arabs should unite and stop the killing of innocent people." Ahmed Ezzeddin, 12, said in a strong voice that Israeli embassies should be closed in Arab Countries.
Yasmine Mohamed, although still in elementary school, wants to "volunteer as a soldier in the Palestinian army. I am not joking, this is my sincere wish," she said when she saw a smile on her interlocutor's face. Ismail Fahmi, 13, believes that demonstrations are "useless." He was decisive: "It is either peace or war, and I think we had better fight Israel. I am ready to blow up my self, and I am not afraid as long as it is a jihad for God." Israa Taha, 12, said she cries every time she sees images of dead people, especially Palestinian children. "I would like to talk personally to the president. He has to do something to save the lives of Palestinian children." Barring such direct engagement, some children have collected money from their classmates and are going to the Egyptian National Bank to place the donations "in the special account allocated to help Palestinian people," one explained.
Children have become more aware of the Palestinian cause. They talk politics, and compete to tell each other the latest news. No more watching cartoons or movies: they are glued to the news every night. This interest in the plight of the Palestinians, and especially children like them, who are suffering under occupation, has also made them fearful and anxious about their future, however. At a time when the economic situation already seems uncertain, the assault on the Palestinians has intensified their practical concerns. "If we fight Israel again, it will be difficult for us to go to school and find jobs," said Nibal Ahmed, 14, from Al-Horriya Language School. She does not believe in demonstrations as a way of protest, but thinks that boycotting American goods and fast food restaurants could be more effective.
photo: Khaled El-Fiqi
An entire generation of Egyptian children is growing up imbued with hatred for Israel. Children chant such slogans as "There is no god but God, and Israel is the enemy of God," as well as "One, two, three, where is the Arab army?" Interestingly, the conflict has also heightened their awareness of political lines at home: at the gates of one school, children were holding sticks -- a symbol of protest against riot vans and soldiers blocking Pyramids Street, inspired by the sight of Palestinian children holding the stones that are their only weapon against the heavily armed Israeli troops.
Farah complains that her teachers do not talk about the Palestinian-Israeli struggle at all. "They refuse to let us demonstrate, even inside the school," she added. "But all we talk about during break is Palestine. We sing patriotic songs and exchange information. We are not happy; actually, we are very depressed. We need to do something, and no one will tell us what to do."
Many parents admit that they are keen to teach their children to hate Israel. Ghada Helmi, a 34-year-old housewife, said she does not like the idea of her children hating anything, but Israeli brutality leaves her with no choice. "My children have to learn that Israel is occupying an Arab land, torturing and killing Arabs. Otherwise they won't be able to defend their own land," Helmi said.
May El-Rakhawi, a specialist in child psychiatry, said that children between the ages of nine and 14 can and should understand current events, but advises against exposing them to the news for too long. Overexposure will heighten anxiety, she warns. "Another symptom of the influence of exposure to news of dangerous situations and acts of violence can be identification with the victims, which is evident in children's desire to engage in public demonstrations, where they would like to play the role of Palestinian children," she explains.
Many parents have brought their children to El-Rakhawi's clinic during the past few months. They suffer from nocturnal enuresis, various phobias and a rejection of school. While El-Rakhawi attributes such trauma to their exposure to multiple forms of violence -- including video games and television -- she also blames the news. Symptoms do not appear immediately, but tend to surface a few months later, she notes. "Contrary to what parents fear, discussing violence and explaining political struggles will not increase a child's fear. Having children keep scared feelings to themselves is more damaging than open discussion," she said. Child psychologists, she added, should be available for children at these critical times. Special classes could include dialogues with psychologists to help children learn how to deal with difficult situations, she added.
Children ask lots of tough questions, but questions about terrorism or war are some of the hardest to answer. Laila, El-Rakhawi's five year-old daughter, recently asked her: "Is Israel coming to our home tomorrow? Will Israel kick us out of our home?" How did she react? "I told her that we are a strong country, and that Israel is cowardly and weak," she murmured in embarrassment. "I just wanted her to feel secure."
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