Children Afraid to Show Fear

The Palestinian uprising is taking a psychological toll among the children of Jewish settlers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The problem seems to be that the children are frightened but are afraid to show fear because of parental disapproval, Davar reported Monday.

Educators and psychological counselors employed in the settlements appealed for guidance recently to the Education Ministry’s psychological counseling services.

The children are in a difficult situation, compounded by the message they receive from their parents and teachers which is “it is forbidden to be afraid, and every time one shows fear it is a victory for the Arabs.”

As a result, the counselors say, the children try to suppress their fears and some suffer greatly because of it.

The Education Ministry advised the formation of parent-teacher support groups to convey to the children the message that “it is permissible to be afraid. Fear is a clearly human feeling that has no political significance.”