IDF mistakenly summons 7-year-old Palestinian boy to Shin Bet interrogation
Shin Bet spokesperson's office tells Haaretz the security service does not summon children to be interrogated and this case was obviously a mistake.
By Amira Hass Tags: Israel newsIsrael Defense Forces soldiers summoned a 7-year-old Palestinian boy to a Shin Bet investigation, without checking whether the order was mistaken, Haaretz has learned.
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IDF soldiers apprehending a Palestinian boy. |
| Photo by: Tal Cohen |
On June 10, the Za'akik family from the West Bank village of Beit Omar awoke to loud knocks at the door. The father of the family opened, and three Israeli soldiers entered the house; one of them, whom the father thought to be the commander, asked for the boy, M. His father told the officer that M. was seven years old, and showed him his identification, stating the boy's date of birth as September 17, 2002.
The mother noticed that the officer laughed upon seeing the document, but he delivered the summons nonetheless. The mother understood from him that the 7-year-old must attend a meeting with "Captain Tamir" of the Shin Bet security services at the offices of the Coordinator of Government Activity in the Territories (COGAT ), in the settlement bloc of Gush Etzion the next morning. The family decided not to send the child to the Shin Bet office, but because they feared the soldiers might return and arrest the boy, they consulted the organization Defense for Children International.
The summons form, though printed in Arabic and Hebrew, was filled out in Hebrew only. The family therefore had no way of knowing that the name on the summons wasn't actually that of their son, but that of a person with the same first name but from the family of Za'arir.
Speaking to Haaretz, the father said there is no Za'arir family in Beit Omar.
The summons customarily bears a four-part name (first name, name of the father, name of the grandfather, and family name ). Only the first name in this case was in fact the same as that of the child, but the IDF still failed to notice the triple mistake of delivering the summons to a 7-year-old, bearing the wrong name and at the wrong address.
The Shin Bet spokesperson's office told Haaretz the security service does not summon children to be interrogated and this case was obviously a mistake. The summons was meant for someone else in the village with a similar name, the Shin Bet spokesman said, "and the force made a mistake in the address. We apologize for the distress caused to the child as a result."
Defense for Children said in response that they welcomed the apology, but questioned whether it was issued to the family directly or only through the media.
The IDF spokesman said that there had been confusion between two families with similar names who live nearby to each other, and that the mix up was an innocent mistake.
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by a group of people who have lost all common decency and act like the people they once fell victim to. No wonder Israel is hated in the West.
but a regular IDF treatment towards palestinians kids. Many of the arrested are under 16, some as young as 7, interrogated with out acces to lawyers/families and some are even abused. That is a typical IDF behaviour, not an isolated one. Read more on the b'tselem website, the israeli human right watch or.
The only obvious conclusion to the suffering and dehumanization of palestinians under Israelis is to fight till victory to get their freedom and humanity and to live like normal peoples on earth. Israel's history is an unprecedented atrociites and abomination. Israel does not spare any Palestiniana, old , women, child. everyone is suspect and is the enemy. Killing, imprisoning, arresting, destorying home and life support are all normal acts for Israelis who love to see themselves as always rightous and victims. But, no matter what and when, Israel is bound to be defeated as were more peowerful crusaders who came here, dominated and then defeated and kicked out. Poeple who ahve conciounce, like this writer Amira, can struggle as they could. they will not change anything. Only resistance to the finish is capable of defeating racism in teh Holy land.
IDF are a law unto themselves, innocent mistakes, so so many in 62 years. And STILL they are unnaccountable .
There are bureaucratic blunders in Israel. (Who would have though it?)
It again shows the kind of Fobia IDF is going thru, smart boys, keep it up. Tomorrow you might summonned as young as 2 years.
Puts me in mind of the 6 year old in the United States that was on the "No fly" list. Security people world wide are in serious need of both double checking their lists and common sense.
This is like the 4th or 5th time I've seen this picture used in recent months by haaretz in completely unrelated stories. The boy in the picture is Hussam Abdo, who attempted to carry on a suicide attack in 2004. The picture was taken after he was apprehended by soldiers, the explosives removed, and a hoodie was given to him to wear. I'm all for stories about the wrongdoings of the IDF, but lets make sure that the pictures are appropriate shall we?
Stating that the commander of the unit laughed, no doubt he was laughing at the blunder when confronted by a seven year old child. Arresting a seven year old is not an option in any civilized country except in the case of children soldiers notably in certain African States. Amira has done well in bringing this affair to the media, for maybe the desk jockeys will be more diligent in the future, especially when faced with a similar and most embarrassing situation. Another day for negative PR. Good day.
Why serve the summon regardless if it was "no doubt a blunder?"
Imperialism turned most of the IDF members to brain washed robots addicted to indifference, a moral aberration that require rational self atonements and comprehensive human remedies.
Even Israel makes mistakes occasionally, may I offer Amira Haas as exhibit A.
oops... looks like Amira is shooting own troops.
Ok cowards, lets go face Hibullah!!! And do not call momy!!!
Amira move to Palestine where nobody apologises because they are never wrong
“the Shin Bet spokesman said, "and the force made a mistake in the address. We apologize for the distress caused to the child as a result." Apologize for nothing. Who cares if the summons form was in Hebrew only. Who cares about the IDF ignoring a triple mistake. Who cares if the IDF had a good laugh about bringing in a 7 year old for questioning. And although it took 4 big burly armed to the teeth IDFers to do it this 7 year old potential terrorist was properly brought in for questioning. Abuse of children seems to be a routine part of the Israeli security regimen. Abhorrent disgust does not suffice to describe same.
According to the article Shin Bet states - they "do not summon children to be interrogated". What do they call the 12 year old who they arrested in a night raid on the West Bank two days ago.? Israel arrests on average 700 Palestinian youths under the age of 16 every year - which is deemed the age of majority for Palestinians by Israel.
Some of you have gaul to support this behaviour, 10 years from now you will unfortunately have to regret your ignorance
Laugh. Shows how abusive behavior has become an every day part of the Israeli Army
I bet you they will say "SEE! ISRAEL ARRESTS 7 YEAR OLD BOYS!".
What do you have on the latest Qassam out of Gaza, dear? Is that meant as a "thank you" from your friends for easing the seige?
you are running out of subject and make a big deal out of nothing in south america rodriguez conzalus and similer name are common and if you are as smrart as you say you are and i doubt it you would not make a big deal out of it obviously no subject and lie for now to rport
In this case there were two errors made in attempting to detain this child for questioning: The warrant was for a person of a different name. The warrant was for a person living at a different address. The fact that the child is significantly below the age of criminal responsibilty should have alerted the soldiers to their mistake - if their orders were to obtain a child that young, they should have been alerted to the age specifically and to the special responsibilities involved in questioning the very young. That these errors were made, and that they were not detected immediately, is cause for concern. How can we be certain that similar errors are not made in much more stressful situations, such as airstrikes.
you are running out of subject and make a big deal out of nothing in south america rodriguez conzalus and similer name are common and if you are as smrart as you say you are and i doubt it you would not make a big deal out of it obviously no subject and lie for now to rport
Typical IDF indiference.......
The IDF are becoming from PARONOIC to LUNATICS...the occupation has created an irreversible damage in these military force..
"Another shimon",you should look into the mirror and admit that you're a jew-hating.The article says it was a mistake,did you read it?
Obviously 'Other Shimon' did read the article thoroughly and that why they posted the comment. Mistakes have been taking place forever now with no accountability...
Typical IDF indiference.......
my heroes, that's it idf, drag that boy away and lock him up for ever for throwing a deadly stone that would have even pierced armor...lol you realy are a pathetic bunch of soldiers aren't you.
This newspaper uses this picture every time a Palestinian child is mentioned. Unless they all look alike? neh..
So you admit that a stone can be deadly,yet you cosnider it no reason for locking up the person who threw it.May I throw a deadly stone at you,then?
Israel treated that boy well they stopped him with a bomb belt strapped on. Hamas sent that boy yet you blame israel. Israel released him to his parents.
This boy was arrested in error not for being a stone-thrower. To claim he is a "stone thrower" is defamation. Stone-throwing at vehicles or people not wearing helmets is a potentially lethal activity - though machine-gunfire is in no way a proportional response - and those who are caught doing so should face fair and reasonable penalties appropriate to age (fines/community service/etc). Arresting stone throwers - over the age of criminal responsibility - is a much better response than shooting at them.
the Palestinian's would not use 7 year olds as human shields, lookouts and put in the line of fire to be martyred for PR purposes.
Cite date and place where what you claim took place.
Change tactics !!!
The people illegally usurping the Palestinians?
You wouldn't use "whataboutery" to deflect attention from a serious mistake by the IDF which led to a young child being harrassed and possibly traumatised to the despicable abuse of children and other civilians by certain militant Palestinian groups (not Palestinians in general). If soldiers follow orders so blindly that they do not question orders which apparently involve detaining a small child for the intelligence services then they are clearly being taught to follow orders without question and not being taught the critical thinking necessary to reduce name/address errors or to ensure the legality of their actions. The name/address errors are serious - in this case the individual is only wanted for questioning, in other cases this could have lead to an airstrike.
yeah, Mohamed, maybe he should be a bastion of truth like your muslim kinsmen. the only things getting old is muslim hysteria.