About Us
Eurovision 2019 – Nothing to Sing About for Thousands of Children Detained, Interrogated, Threatened and Imprisoned by Israeli Forces
"Eurovision 2019: Nothing to Sing About" focused on the widespread and systematic campaign by Israeli forces to target, detain, intimidate and imprison Palestinian children.
Every year, Israel detains at least 1,000 Palestinian children, some as young as 10 years of age. In the first few months of 2019, an average of 207 children have been detained monthly. At any given time, there are about 270 Palestinian teenagers in Israeli prisons.
Dublin Bus Campaign - The Boy on the Bus
The boy in this photograph is Abdullah Dwaik, son of Badia Dwaik from Hebron in the West Bank. Coincidentally, Badiawas in Ireland when his son was rounded up in Hebron on Friday 13th October 2017 and kept with other children in cages at the checkpoint. They were then taken to the army barracks, held for some hours and then released.Many witnesses saw the children violently rounded up and then being taken away by the Israeli army. The photograph was taken by a member of the Christian Peacemaker Team (CPS) based in Hebron, West Bank. Abdullah has been arrested twice since then. A report on the arrest is here including a link to the boys own words.
At the launch of the Sadaka campaign: Yvonne O’Callaghan, SIPTU; Aisling Seely, SIPTU; Joe Conroy, Unite; Davy Kettyles, Unite; Ambassador Ahmad Abdelrazek; Eamonn Meehan, Sadaka Board; John Douglas, Mandate; Seamus Doyle, Musicians Union of Ireland.
23 soldiers. 1 child
On the 7th December 2017, Fawzi al-Juneid was 16 when he went shopping for his family on Friday in Hebron. He is the main provider for a family of nine. His father is disabled.
He was running away from tear gas and sound bombs when soldiers ambushed and captured him. Arrested and held for three weeks, his family paid 10,000 shekels ($2,870) for his release. He was suffering from a dislocated shoulder and extensive bruising and was taken to hospital immediately on his release. He had asked for a doctor many times, but was refused.
His lawyer Arwa Hlehel, had this to say.
“At his first hearing before an Israeli military court, al-Junaidi said he was beaten with a rifle and by almost every soldier who took him. At one point he hid under the desk in the detention centre, and they pulled him back up and continued to excessively hit him … They then threw him into a tub filled with cold water and took his shoes off."
Eurovision 2019 - Israel #nothingtosingabout
In Prison - Still Without Charge
Mohammed Tamimi was just 12 years of age in 2015 when an Israeli soldier grabbed him and used him as a human shield during the weekly land protests in his village of Nabi Saleh. His arm was broken and in a sling at the time. His mother and sister, Ahed succeeded in freeing him. However, Mohammed was subsequently detained. He has recently been re-arrested. The charges are unknown.
His village and his family paid a huge price for the video of the 2015 event going viral. In the subsequent weeks, dozens of from the village were arrested. Mohammed’s sister, Ahed, was arrested and detained for six months for slapping an Israeli soldier was entering her property. The incident took place in the days after her cousin had been shot in the head by soldiers (he survived, but needed many operations). However, her concern remains for her brother. “After my imprisonment, my little brother has been jailed in Israel. Who will speak up for Palestinian kids like us?” she said.
Eurovision 2019 - Israel #nothingtosingabout
Threats, violence, denied food
Most children detained by Israel in 2018 were threatened with violence, having their homes demolished, imprisoned for life and denial of food. Most don’t have a parent or lawyer presented when interrogated.
Eurovision 2019 - Israel #nothingtosingabout
As young as 10
Palestinian children, some as young as 10 are detained, interrogated, threatened and imprisoned by Israeli forces. Look out for our campaign @dublinbusnews.
Eurovision 2019 - Israel #nothingtosingabout
Two states
There are indeed two states – a state of opportunity for Israeli children and a state of fear for Palestinian children. Look out for our campaign about the unlawful detention of Palestinian children @dublinbusnews.
Eurovision 2019 - Israel #nothingtosingabout
Military Juvenile Courts
Israel is the only country in the world that has a military juvenile court system. The sole factor in determining which laws apply to a child is her nationality and ethnicity.
Eurovision 2019 - Israel #nothingtosingabout
1,000 Every Year
An estimated 1,000 Palestinian children, at least, are arrested annually by Israeli Forces. Over 8,000 have been detained since the year 2000.
Eurovision 2019 - Israel #nothingtosingabout