Boys in jail, part 2

The family awoke with a start from the banging on the door. They didn't know what to do, so they huddled together and tried to ignore the shouts, the smell of the tear gas seeping through the cracks around the door and windows and the crashing sound at the door. After a few minutes, the door to the roof burst open and several soldiers from the Israeli army came down the stairs into the house.

The family was herded out of the house in their nightclothes into the courtyard at 1am where they were held with the red point of light of the laser sights of the machine guns aimed at them. They were all asked to produce their identification cards because the army had come to find Fadi, one of the sons of the household. Once they identified him, questioned him about his older brother (who's in the Palestinian police) and his father (who works at a settlement), they forced Fadi to strip to check that he wasn't armed and dangerous. After hastily dressing again, Fadi was put into one of the jeeps to be taken away.

Fadi has asthma and didn't have the chance to bring any of his medication. As the soldiers were hauling him away, his mother was screaming at them about his asthma and begging the soldiers to help him. They said that they would, but when she finally had the chance to visit him in prison, he said that he never had any treatment. Rather, Fadi reported to his mother (and uncle who also came to visit) that the soldiers mistreated him and kept him in isolation. He was very angry, very sad and frightened.

What is the crime this young man of 16 is to have done? The reason given was "throwing stones". His family thinks that someone turned in his name (often, under interrogation, the boys are pressured into giving the names of their friends. Some do so, just to make the questioning stop). Fadi's father doubt that his son would throw stones at soldiers since he's afraid of them and of what they can do.

The family supposes that the real reason that Fadi was arrested is because he took part in a non-violent demonstration in Hebron several months ago. Soldiers usually take pictures of the people participating in the demonstration as evidence that they are there. Since Fadi was at this demonstration and may have had his picture taken, the army may be retaliating for his presence. But, nobody really knows.

The imprisonment is not just for Fadi anymore, though. His younger siblings are fearful every night. They do not want to go to bed in their own beds; they want only to sleep with their parents. The expenses of the lawyer are more than this family can afford; they hope that friends and neighbors will help them. Fadi's father, who works at a nearby Israeli settlement as a construction worker for 100 NIS (about $27) a day, has not been allow to returned to work since Fadi was arrested. Thus far, he'd lost 2 weeks worth of work and he had no idea when (or if) he'd been allowed to return. Of course, since his work permit expired on May 1st, there's a very good chance that he won't return to that job at all (the Israeli employer must apply for the work permit for the employee).

As of the day of our interview, Fadi had not had his case heard in court (the trial date was delayed three times). If things go as they usually do, he will end up with 6 -7 months in prison with a 5000 NIS ($1350) fine.

For a boy on the edge of manhood, the price for being the age, gender and nationality that he is is so high, not just for him, but for his family and community.