28th April 2013
Three Palestinian children aged 10 arrested after being attacked by settler children – Swedish activist also arrested
for intervening
Israeli military today arrested three Palestinian boys, aged around 10, in Hebron after they were attacked by several
children from illegal settlements in the centre of the city. One Swedish activist was also arrested after intervening in
the arrests of the children.
Before 1pm Palestinian children were walking home from school when they had sticks thrown at them by the children of
extremist settlers living in the centre of Hebron. Eyewitnesses state that the Palestinian children called back in
response to the attacking children, but did not attack in return. However, the settler children immediately called for
soldiers at nearby checkpoints who came running. The settler children pointed out four Palestinian children, all aged
around 10 years, who were violently grabbed and pushed against a wall by soldiers. The Israeli soldiers took no action
against the settler children who had instigated the attack.
Around fourty Palestinians, including the headteacher of a nearby school, gathered and insisted that the arrest was
unacceptable. A non-violent Swedish activist who also intervened peacefully on behalf of the children has also been
arrested and is being charged with assaulting a soldier. The three children and Swedish activist were taken away
separately in military jeeps. The Swedish activist is currently being held in Givat Havot settlement near Hebron city,
whilst the three Palestinian boys are being held in interrogation centres.
The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is a Palestinian-led non-violent resistance movement committed to ending Israel's illegal occupation of
Palestinian land. We call for full compliance with all relevant UN resolutions and international law.
ENDS