The Palestinian Authority is working to prevent children from taking part in demonstrations that have often escalated into violent confrontations with Israeli forces, Palestinian information minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said Tuesday.
He told AFP he had sent a letter to Israeli human rights group Btselem which had inquired about children taking part in the Intifada, or Palestinian uprising, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 180 people, most of them Arabs.
"The Palestinian National Authority is working in a serious way to prevent children from participating in the demonstrations," Abed Rabbo said in the letter, details of which were published in the Palestinian press Tuesday.
He said Palestinian political factions had decided to form a committee "to discuss banning all those under 16 years old from taking part in the demonstrations."
Human rights groups say up to 50 Palestinian youths and children have lost their lives during the six weeks of unrest.
Israeli officials have accused the Palestinians of using children as a "shield" against Israeli troops, claims that have triggered angry denials from the Palestinians.
"We'll be very happy with that decision if the Palestinians apply this policy," Israeli government spokesman Nachman Shai told reporters. "But it has not happened yet. Kids are still taking part in demonstrations" -- GAZA CITY (AFP)
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