Terrorizing Palestinians and Israeli Arabs
A study conducted by SOS Children found that
a high percentage of children in [Palestine] show
highly pronounced symptoms of psychological
strain, and that around 60% of these children
required urgent psychological help. (Source)
Two new reports provide more evidence besides volumes already available.
Explaining daily life in Occupied Palestine, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) said about half of Palestinian households experience Israeli and other forms of violence.
For Gazans, it's slightly higher than in the West Bank - 49.1% - 47.8%. In Qalqiliya governorate, however, (in northern West Bank) it's 60%.
Youths are especially affected, notably males. From July 2010 - July 2011, about 10% were targeted, including about 3% of children aged 12 - 17.
About 6% in this age category experienced psychological trauma during the same time frame.
Violence happens often at checkpoints. Over 13% of males are affected. Women face sexual harassment. However, street violence is most common, affecting about 20% of youths aged 18 - 29. About 29% of males are exposed.
In addition, physical and/or psychological violence can occur anywhere, including at home. Over 14% of youths are affected. In educational institutions, 9% suffer psychological trauma. Over 20% experience physical violence.
Other physical and/or psychological violence is committed by one family member against another. Women are mostly affected. So are children witnessing it. Elderly females more than males experience it through "health negligence."
PCBS defines violence as acts causing or threatening "physical, sexual or psychological abuse," including actions generating fear.
It can also be economic, political, verbal, and in other forms by anyone, including occupiers, settlers, household members or others.
Deprivation of basic rights are also included "such as shelter, food, drink, clothing, education, freedom of movement and loss of self-determination and self security."
Life in Palestine is harsh and intolerable. Imagine being repressively occupied under a system of institutionalized racist persecution.