Bethlehem children protest against internal clashes

The Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights, based in Bethlehem, organized a peaceful protest for children from various parts of the West Bank, and from within the Green Line, who marched in the streets of Bethlehem demanding an end to the internal clashes.

At least 300 children participated in the and marched after gathering in front of the Annexation Wall surrounding Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, and marched towards the Church of Nativity. The children then marched on Jerusalem-Hebron road, and headed towards Deheisha refugee camp.

During the procession, the children chanted slogans conforming the Right of Return of all refugees, and chanted slogans against the internal clashes in addition to chanting slogans demanding internal unity and demanding the removal of the illegal Israeli annexation wall.

Some of the children hurled stones at the annexation wall surrounding Aida refugee camps from all sides, and transforming it into a prison. No clashes with the army were reported.

The activity is part of a summer camp organized by Badil. Hasan Farag, head of the Summer Camp, said that protest is part of a series of activities that aim at introducing the youth to their legitimate rights, and strengthening the relation between the children in the West Bank and the Arab children living behind the Green Line in order to create means of cooperation between them.

Farag added that the activities also include Dabka (Folklore dace) and other recreational and sport activities.

Translated by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC