RN Documentary: Troubled Children in a Troubled Land
Series: RN Focus on Torn Lives - Stories from the Holy Land
From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Length: 00:29:30
Over half a century of conflict in the Holy Land has left deep scars on both Israelis and Palestinians. But never have the levels of violence been as high as in the past four years.
No one has been spared, not even children. According to recent research, 60 percent of Israeli children have been either at or near the scene of a suicide bombing or have had someone close to them injured or killed. Over a third of 12-year-old boys in the Gaza Strip say the best thing in life is to die.
In "Troubled Children in a Troubled Land", Eric Beauchemin weaves some of these children's stories together with the accounts of psychologists and social workers who are trying to help these youngsters and adolescents cope.
Also in the RN Focus on Torn Lives - Stories from the Holy Land series
RN Feature: Under Threat - International Humanitarian Law
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RN Documentary: Stories from Behind the Wall
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The first in a two-part series about Israel's security fence: Part 1 looks at the dramatic consequences the barrier is having on the daily life of ordinary Palestinians. (29:30)
RN Special 1-hour Documentary: The Barrier
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This documentary examines the dramatic consequences Israel's security fence is having on Palestinians and the mixed feelings Israelis have about the structure. (59:29)
RN Documentary: On the Edge of a Volcano
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The second in a two-part series about Israel's security fence: this piece looks at the widely diverging opinions in Israeli society about the structure. (29:30)
Voices: A Palestinian Lesbian's Story
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From: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
The story of Cindy, a Palestinian lesbian living in Israel.
RN Special 1-hour Documentary: Strangers Next Door
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A look at the consequences of the conflict in the Holy Land. (1:00:00)
RN Documentary: Illegal in Israel - The Story of Juan and Josie
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Israel is deporting all 200,000 of its illegal migrants, including Juan, Josie and their three children from the Philippines. (29:29)
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A thought-provoking interview with a tireless and eloquent advocate of peace in his country. (29:29)
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Reporting events in the occupied territories is becoming increasingly difficult for both Palestinian and Israeli journalists. This piece is not self-contained. Please see ...
RN Documentary: Theater in the Rubble
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For more than a decade, Dutchman Jan Willems has been staging plays for Palestinian children, providing a much-needed outlet in desperate times. (29:30)
Related Pieces
Piece Description
Over half a century of conflict in the Holy Land has left deep scars on both Israelis and Palestinians. But never have the levels of violence been as high as in the past four years. No one has been spared, not even children. According to recent research, 60 percent of Israeli children have been either at or near the scene of a suicide bombing or have had someone close to them injured or killed. Over a third of 12-year-old boys in the Gaza Strip say the best thing in life is to die. In "Troubled Children in a Troubled Land", Eric Beauchemin weaves some of these children's stories together with the accounts of psychologists and social workers who are trying to help these youngsters and adolescents cope.
Transcript
Radio Netherlands, the Dutch International Service, presents “Troubled Children in a Troubled Land”. The programme is produced by Eric Beauchemin.
TEASERS
The Arab went to stab the brother in the stomach, but the brother managed to get away. Yacoub was sitting in a chair nearby. The Arab came over to him and stabbed him under his arm, right by his heart. 0’09”
There’s the trauma that says I’m going to die. I’m going to get killed. The whole world is out of control and I don’t feel secure. I don’t feel safe. – Sister Rose 0’08”
When you ask a Palestinian how could you cope with this situation and they will say, we are used to it. – AbdelFattah 0’09”
We made a research on children at the age of 12 and we found that 36% of the boys say the best thing in life is to die. – al-Sarraj 0’10”
Over half a century of conflict in the Holy Land has left deep sc...
Read the full transcript
Musical Works
Desert Highway; Usef Ahmadi; Middle East Old & New - Part 1; KPM Music; 1995; 2'55"
Related Website
Sydney Lewis
Posted on October 07, 2004 at 02:37 PM | Permalink
Review of RN Documentary: Troubled Children in a Troubled Land
The production notes describe the gist of this well-balanced report. The emotional impact of what is said by various children is slightly dulled unless you understand their native tongue, but only slightly. Poignant observations by professionals make acutely clear the devastating impact of seemingly endless violence and uncertainty.
A Palestinian doctor says, “No one knows what’s normal any more,” as he describes kids saying, “We’re used to it,” when asked how they manage to cope. He continues: “Nobody should be used to misfortune or occupation or pressure or torture in such a humiliating way. Nobody should be used to curfews, not going to school, or not going to work…” He could be describing life in some of America’s poorest of the poor communities, the ones we don’t want to think about. Alex Kotlowitz’s “There Are No Children Here,” immediately comes to mind. Worth airing because what happens to the children over there impacts what will happen here, and this is a well-produced look at what sows the seeds in the cycle of violence.