Children

In this composite teaching module, we have curated segments from various teach-ins centered around the theme of Children. The experiences of Palestinian childhood shed light on the systemic challenges that hinder their well-being and development under occupation. Through these forums, we have compiled discourses that highlight the everyday resistance of Palestinian children. These discussions cover the deprivation of a normal childhood, as well as the increasing use of dehumanization tactics since the onset of genocide. Our experts examine the effects of these strategies employed by the occupying forces. This composite teaching module will provide students with the discursive resources and knowledge necessary to understand the daily realities faced by Palestinian children, and it will expose the traumatizing tactics employed by Israel as part of its ongoing efforts to ethnically cleanse the Palestinian people.
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All segments in this Composite Module are drawn from the below teach-ins. Click on the title to watch the full teach-in. Additional Related Teach-in

​Childhood in the West Bank

Janna Jihad discusses her personal experiences of being a child in the West Bank. She goes through a day in her life going to school and her daily interactions, detailing the impact Israeli checkpoints and Israeli practices of unlawful detainment have on the pursuit of education as a child.

​Childhood in the US Diaspora

Lila Sharif recounts childhood experience of absence of Palestine from school maps and globes growing up in the US; speaks about the incarceration of scholars who tell the truth about the systemic denial of Palestinian childhood.

Unchilding

The unchilding of children in Palestine is a complex process under the occupation. Children are forced to experience traumas and situations that are troubling and traumatic even for adults. Children are asked to grow up in environments that negate their very ability to be children. From simple processes such as getting to school through Israeli checkpoints, to the destruction of educational infrastructure, to the constant threat of violence, children cannot escape the effects of the occupation. Our speakers ask questions like: how does Palestinian childhood in Palestine differ from childhood in the diaspora? How do children in Palestine pursue education in the context of occupation and siege?

Informal Education

Amanda Najib discusses how communities in Gaza have organized informal education sessions. She gives the example of a young woman in Gaza who started a “school on the go” where she carries her classroom to teach children outside refugee camps and on the rubble of bombed homes and schools

Media Representations of Children

Western media often represents Palestinian children in a dismissive and dehumanizing manner, framing them as mere casualties rather than as individuals with their own lives, hopes, and aspirations. This portrayal frequently reduces them to faceless victims of violence, stripped of agency and humanity. By focusing on their suffering without context or deeper exploration into their lives, the media dehumanizes Palestinian children, ignoring their role in their communities and the broader socio-political realities they face. This narrative reinforces a one-dimensional view that diminishes their identity and humanity, ultimately overshadowing their voices and stories.

The Depiction
​of Palestinian Children 

Heidi Morrison discusses the ongoing depiction of Palestinian children through the perspective of America - while also explaining the misunderstanding of humanitarian aid as the main solution for Palestinian children's trauma and their experiences with resistance on a daily basis. 

Dehumanization
​of Palestinian Children

Assal Rad discusses the strategy of the Western media's use of  dehumanizing Palestinian children. In this Rad delves deeper on the word choice used in such articles when describing Palestinian children - rather as "minors," "youth," or "people under 18" - than calling them children. 

The Spread of Misinformation

Amahl Bishara speaks on the misinformation on the killing of Palestinian children in the media.

Access to Data ​

Zeina Jamaluddine talks about how people generally collect data for mortality estimations and the difficulties they are having getting this information in Gaza due to the destruction of healthcare infrastructure. 

Destruction of Medical Infrastructure
​in Gaza 

Mouin Rabbani discusses the destruction of medical infrastructure and the effects this has on children living in Gaza - with limited access to medical equipment and vaccines.

On the Destruction of a Palestinian Childhood - Statistics 

Access to accurate statistics and data in Gaza has been severely hindered due to the widespread destruction of medical infrastructure. The ongoing genocide has resulted in the demolition of hospitals, clinics, and vital record-keeping systems, making it incredibly difficult to track the full scope of casualties, injuries, and health needs. The lack of reliable data further complicates the delivery of aid and medical support, as organizations struggle to assess the true extent of the crisis. This destruction not only impacts immediate medical care but also undermines long-term recovery efforts, leaving many in Gaza without essential health services and limiting the ability to document and address their needs effectively.

Spread of Diseases & Lack of Medical Equipment 

Zeina Jamaluddine discusses the direct and indirect effects of the genocide on the people in Gaza, particularly focusing on the impact on children, the rise in diseases, and the harmful effects of dust inhalation. She also highlights the lack of vaccines, which she attributes to Israel's strategy of ethnically cleansing the Palestinian population.