Soldiers' young assistant

One of the things that hasn't changed from my last time in Hebron, are the checkpoints that are manned by armed soldiers, and which Palestinians go through on a daily basis. One of the things I have noticed that has changed, is the presence of Israeli settlers at these places. Sometimes they are adults (who are also armed with automatic weapons), but more disturbingly, you also often find some of their children.

There is a small Israeli boy from a settler family, who often hangs out with the soldiers at a checkpoint close to our apartment. He looks to be between 5 and 7, not at all different in age and appearance from children I work with in the very early elementary grades.

The checkpoint is located literally only a step or two from a Palestinian home, and when their kids come out they will yell at each other. I have seen this boy knee a Palestinian kid in the stomach a few days ago, and today, mouthing off to the Palestinian men walking by the checkpoint, and watching as soldiers held people up. Later, I saw him walking quickly and aggressively towards an elderly Palestinian man who was trudging uphill slowly, with shopping bags. One of the soldiers laughingly held him back before he had a chance to attack. Later, he sat with them and touched the gun of one of them.

I feel terrible for all the Palestinians living in Hebron under occupation, who face the checkpoints and the settler attacks on a regular basis. I feel also terrible for the settler boy, and others like him. The adults in his life who should be teaching him right from wrong, clearly are allowing him to spend his summer days, harrassing and victimizing others and taking part from such a young age, in this occupation. I pray God puts people in this kid's life, people who will guide him and lead him to the right path. I also pray that he, and all other kids- Israeli and Palestinian- will one day live in a land where there is no more injustice or war or violence or occupation.

The settler kid at the checkpoint, watching as soldiers release a group of Palestinian men they had just detained.

The kid's face is not recognizable, and that is for a reason. He is still very young, and I don't want this picture to define who he is as a person. Hopefully, in spite of the adults in his life who are encouraging and tolerating his participating in the abuse of others, God will provide others in his life who will lead him to love Him, and to love his neighbours.