Palestinian Media Watch Bulletin August 15, 2003
PALESTINIAN MEDIA WATCH phone: 972-2-625-4140 fax: 972-2-624-2803 visit our website, click here: http://www.pmw.org.il for further information, contact PMW Director, Itamar Marcus material may be quoted, citing PMW as the source subscribe free to PMW reports, details below
PA Teenager's Summer camp Named for Teenage Suicide Bomber by Itamar Marcus
Introduction: Ayyat al-Akhras - a 17 year-old girl - was the youngest child suicide bomber, murdering 2 Israelis in a Jerusalem supermarket on March 29, 2002. The PA has named a children's summer camp in her name. This is the second summer in a row in which a camp was named for Akhras and continues the PA policy of naming summer camps, sporting events and schools, after prominent terrorists.
This naming of a children's summer camp for a teenage terrorist is particularity problematic as it is quite natural for children to see another child being honored as a role model.
The following appeared in yesterday's PA daily. "Dr. Ahmad al-Yazji, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports attended a graduation ceremony of a summer camp named after the Sahida (Woman who died for Allah) Ayyat Al Akhras. It was organized by the Shabaiba [youth organization] of the Fatah in East Gaza....150 children aged 9-15 participated in the camp... Al-Yazji stressed the role of the struggle fulfilled by the Palestinian National Liberation Movement "Fatah" and saluted the Shahids (Those who died for Allah), the wounded and the prisoners." [Al Quds - Aug. 14. 2003] Archives News Item: "Today the activities begin in the tenth Scouts summer camp, the Shahid Seeker [Death for Allah Seeker ]-Ayyat al-Akhras Camp..." [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Aug. 4, 2002]