Article November 13, 2006 Issue

A PRAYER OF HOPE FOR WOULD-BE SUICIDE BOMBERS

BY COLLEEN DOUGLASS

One night, two 14-year-old Palestinian boys were sent on a suicide mission against an Israeli military site. Both were terrified at the prospect of death. Halfway to their destination, one of the boys realized he didn't want to die. He wanted to return to his family, so he tried to persuade his friend to turn back with him. When his friend refused, the boy turned back alone.

Moments later he heard an explosion.

In an interview following her son's return home, his mother explained, "They take our children when they are too young to understand, to decide if they want to die. My boy ... doesn't know whether he did right or wrong. We don't let him out of the house without his father—in case he changes his mind again, or they catch him."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

A story of peace not violence