“Batman, Prayers and Prisons, Part 2”

“Batman, Prayers and Prisons, Part 2”

“Wait,” I asked with a puzzled look.  “There’s been more than 1 time?”

“Naam (Yes, in Arabic)” said the interpreter.

“So… How many times?” I asked.

Azadeem’s Father was counting the number of times he’s been thrown in prison by the Israeli army.  He filled up one hand almost immediately.  Started on the second hand.  Both hands were full.  He spoke Arabic to the interpreter who responded, “He says too many times to count.  He’s lost count.”

Mohammed was such a gentle man- soft spoken with a great bearded smile.  Oddly reminded me of a Russell Crowe in Gladiator (minus the armor and sword), but wore a t-shirt and jeans instead.  How was this man in prison so many times?  What exactly did he do? The questions ran through my head faster than I could write down.

My interview with Azadeem's father, Mohammed

“When was the first time?” I asked.  

“Khamsataash” he said….  15.  

15. Years. Old.  

“For what?”

“Throwing a stone at an Israeli armored car.” He said.  He didn’t know this at the time, but he would spend a year in prison for that offense.  

In Palestine, adolescent arrests are a big issue, as is the justice system for Palestinians.  It’s complex, but here are the spark notes of how the judicial system works in Israel.  If you are arrested for any crime, you are tried by 1 of 2 systems.  The first is similar to the U.S. system- you’re read your rights, given a chance for a lawyer, tried by a jury, etc…  The second system is called “military law” which is a free-for-all system where no rights are given.  You can be arrested for any activity, association or suspicion, thrown in prison without defense, and held for an indefinite amount of time.  Think of Guantanamo Bay.   Guess which system only applies to Palestinians?  You guessed it- Military Law.

Military law knows no age limit, and Israel is currently the only country in the world that automatically prosecutes children in military. Since 2000, at least 8,000 Palestinian children have been arrested and prosecuted in an Israeli military detention system notorious for systematic ill-treatment of Palestinian children. It is estimated that between 500 and 700 children are arrested each year for nonsensical acts (like throwing a stone), or no acts at all.  

The largest detention camp in the world: Kziot prison, Israel

Once you are arrested, you land yourself on a special list of assailants against the state of Israel, even if you weren’t convicted.  These individuals are typically arrested multiple times after that for… well… “security reasons” (the most common answer given to the media).  Mohammed said that most of the times he didn’t even know what he was being arrested for.  He often asked why he was being held in prison.  He never got an answer.

Suspicion, questioning, being associated with someone else who was arrested… These were some of the reasons given to his family about why he was taken into custody.  Azadeem was without a father for a year because of suspicion.  What does that even mean?

At one point Israel wanted to question Mohammed because of his association with some friends who decided to stand up to several homes that were being bulldozed.  He refused and fled.  They looked for him for over 4 months until they found him, put him in prison for a year with no charge, then released him.

I asked if he was worried that his son Azadeem (the grinning boy with the Batman endeavors) would ever get arrested.  His response was stoic.  “I would do absolutely anything to prevent my son from going to jail.  Most of all, I pray.  I pray that Azadeem has a better life than I had.  I pray that Azadeem won’t have to run from soldiers for no reason like I did.  Azadeem doesn’t understand anything about the occupation, but I hope he grows up with the same rights as children in Israel enjoy.“

Azadeem and his father 1 month before they arrested him

As with every interview, I told Mohammed that Americans would read this story.  I asked what he wanted to tell the American people.  Here’s his response:

“I don’t think the people of America really understand what’s going on.  Americans are sensitive, they care about injustice… I know this.  I think the reason why we aren’t getting any help is because they simply don’t know. They don’t know what’s going on.  They need to hear our story, my story.  This occupation damaged our life, stole our land... they take our children from us like they did with me from my mother.  They shot my brother, who is now in a wheelchair.  They shot my 3 brothers, shot me.  Now I walk everyday in pain with my hip.  No one cares.  We need help.  Help us.  Please.”

If you’d like me to forward any messages to Mohammed, please e-mail me or comment below.