For the child protesters, fate forces their hand. Be silent and the hellish reality continues indefinitely.  Take action, and change may come. Proactive, rather than passive, these children’s reality continues to be determined by one factor: they practice the wrong faith, Christianity or Islam. This racism against them singes, festering with injustice. A few kilometers away, other children enjoy all the freedoms of society and a future due to one difference.  These children are Jewish.  They are free.  Christian and Muslim children are not.
 

In June 2004 Israeli soldiers fired rockets into a similar demonstration of children, killing dozens and wounding over 100.  The children value freedom more than they fear death and march again in an appeal to the international community for help.

Nearby, sequestered in his tank, an Israeli soldier listens as the children's slogans echo within its walls. Silently he sits, entrusted by the occupying power to destroy rather than protect. Should the wee protesters get out of hand, force will put them down. The children know this, yet still they march.  “Death, but not subservience," small voices demand, passing the tank, many with arms reaching for the sky. Above the children several Israeli gunships hover, guns trained on the young and flames shooting from cannons. Afraid yet determined, they continue.

As the procession approaches Gaza International Airport a new danger emerges, Israeli snipers.  Many of Gaza’s children have lost their lives to snipers in the past. Still they march, the goal of freedom stronger than the fear of death and injury.

“We may die, but Palestine will live on," the determined children’s chorus thunders through the streets.  Soldiers, tanks and helicopter gunships lurk behind and above, shadowing the child protestors.

Death’s threat is real for these children marched on Rafah in May 2004.  Starving the child demonstrators to the streets, pleading for an end to the Israeli attacks in an attempt renew the importation of food and milk. Israeli gunships fired rockets into the heart of crowd of children, killing dozens and wounding hundreds.

Acutely aware that this may happen again, the children press on.  Word comes in from the Palestinian militia.  A call has been received from the Israeli Army threatening to bomb the demonstration if the children do not disburse and leave immediately. 

But the children cannot leave.  Their message must be heard.

Children's Parliament

Organized by hundreds of Palestinian children representing the Mini Children's Parliament of the Rafah Refugee Camp, the demonstrations give voice to the occupations smallest victims.  This demonstration is an appeal to Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and the France President Jack Shirk leaders of two countries hosting meetings on the peace process in Middle East.  

“We appeal to the French and Norwegian governments as the two countries observing the peace process in Palestine to protect us from the Israeli bullets and shells" explains 14 years old Momen Abu Alross.  Amidst photographs of both the French and Norwegian leaders Alross reveals the shrapnel held within his hand.

"This is the weapon,” he points angrily, his voice carrying authority of a full grown man. “Rockets and bullets are what they use to kill our small bodies. We want to live like other children around the world.  We want to have a childhood too," he concludes.

Fourteen year old Amir Brikeh likewise appeals to the French and Norwegian governments to stop the siege and attacks:

"We, the children of Palestine urgently appeal to the French president and the Norwegian prime minister to intercede on our behalf. Stop Operation Summer Rains. Please save our lives; we want to live,” he emphasizes before continuing.

"Stop this.  For the sake of my three beloved friends, Rami, Ashraf and Tawfiq, children killed for no reason other than they are Palestinians!" he adds with frustration.

When asked if he fears a similar fate as the victims of the 2004 demonstrations where he lost friends, Basem Shalouf (14) answers:" I am not afraid. Bombing children for holding posters and asking for help, this is not a reason to kill us," he states. “All we ask is the world protect us from Israeli bullets. We are not asking the world build us a safe place to play.  We simply demand protection for the children of Palestine." he adds nervously looking to the sky.

Above him an Israeli helicopter gunship spews forth more flames, the downdraft from its blades disrupting the street’s dust.  Through it, the children march, hoping the world will hear their voices and that those in power will summon the courage and take a stand against the Israelis and end the bullet riddled hell of their daily lives.  And so the children march for peace, and a future.