No mention, of course, was made of the Israeli army's massive contribution to the juvenile death list, or that the closure of the West Bank and Gaza has remained largely in force, and was even strengthened in some areas. And so it goes on. Yet the world has grown indifferent, despite the horrifying statistics that show more than 160 of the estimated 440 deaths during the intifada have been under 18 years old. Human and children's rights workers watch with horror and despair. Yitzhak Kadman, director of Israel's National Council for the Child, responded to yesterday's events by renewing his call for mercy for the young.
Children are children, whatever side of the conflict they belong to.
They cannot protect themselves. They cannot be part of any fighting or any war. They are so easily endangered and at risk. I know this is easier said than done, but this is a terrible situation into which we cannot and should not put our children. The pro-Israel lobby has tirelessly churned out material saying Mr Arafat and his cronies must bear the primary responsibility for this.