The Israeli human rights groups criticises the government for jailing Palestinian children who throw stones at soldiers in the West Bank. Between 2005 and 2010, 835 children have been tried in court. Only one was acquitted; all the others were convicted.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) – An Israeli rights group has criticised the government for jailing Palestinian children, some as young as 12. Israel's civilian courts forbid jailing any child under 14, but Palestinian children arrested in the West Bank are usually tried in military courts. The group, Btselem, says the children are often given jail terms of up to two months. Most are arrested for throwing stones at Israeli soldiers. The Israeli military says the children are being exploited by "terror groups".

According to a Btselem report, 835 Palestinian children were arrested for stone throwing between 2005 and 2010, but only one was acquitted.

In the past six years, 19 Palestinian children aged either 12 or 13 have been jailed for up to two months after being convicted of throwing stones at Israeli soldiers. Altogether, 34 children aged 12-13, 255 aged 14-15 and 546 were 16-17 were tried. Ninety-three per cent of those convicted were given jail sentences; 97 per cent of the cases ended with a plea bargain.

In its response to the report, the Israeli army issued a statement. "It is unfortunate that Btselem decided to deal with the subject in an unbalanced manner, while ignoring the exploitation of minors by terror organisations," it said.

It noted that two years ago, a Special Court for Minors was created in the West Bank where "military judges have displayed great sensitivity to issues of minors' rights".

"At times, minors have been released from detention by judges because their rights have been infringed," the army statement said.

However, the Btselem report noted that many children are pressured into pleading guilty to get a lesser sentence.

• israel
• palestine
• minors
• stone
• throwing
• trials
• convictions
• btselem