Introduction: PMW reports documenting the comprehensive Palestinian Authority [PA] encouragement of their children to aspire to heroic Death for Allah, Shahada, have brought repeated denials by PA leaders in English. However, in their own Arabic language media they continue to see encouraging children to Shahada as a national achievement.

In a candid interview this week on PA TV the Director of the Palestinian "Children’s Aid Association", an agency whose function is to help children, stated that as education policy with other values, Palestinians teach their children to aspire to Death for Allah - Shahada.

The following is the text of the interview:

The Interview:


Journalist Samir Shahin:
“The children only wanted to leave [school] and throw stones at the Israeli soldier, and to reach Shahada [Death for Allah]. They aspired to Shahada as a first priority.

Moderator: Mrs. Firial, in your opinion, does the Palestinian child understand the concept of Shahada?

Firial Hillis, C.E.O. of the Palestinian "Children’s Aid Association":
“The concept of Shahada for him [the child] means belonging to the homeland, from a religious point of view. Sacrifice for his homeland. Achieving SHAHADA in order to reach Paradise and to meet his God. This is the best. We also teach our children to protect the homeland, belonging and to reach Shahada”. [PATV, May 4, 2003]

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