Parents Need to Teach Their Children About the Palestine Issue in a Thoughtful Manner

How to Educate Children About the Palestinian Issue – For many years now, the conflict between the Palestinian liberation movement and the State of Israel has seemed never-ending.

From the Nakba to the present day, the Palestinian people have been plagued by one tragedy after another.

In fact, following the attacks on October 7, 2023, Israel has relentlessly targeted innocent Palestinian civilians.

News of these events continues to spread across various social media platforms and news channels. As parents, it is certainly our duty to guide our children regarding this issue.

7 Tips for Teaching Your Children About the Palestine Issue

To ensure your children don’t misunderstand the Israel-Palestine conflict, follow these tips for teaching them the facts.

1. Prioritize an Empathetic and Critical Perspective

Teach your children to think critically and empathetically when reading about the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Because, to this day, two camps have formed in various media outlets: some defend Palestine, while others defend Israel.

Let your children know that not all information from various media sources can be trusted. However, also teach them to always stand with the oppressed.

After all, in conflicts like this, it is often civilians—such as children—who become the victims.

2. Adjust to the Child’s Age

When teaching children about the situation in Palestine, always use language that is easy to understand.

Young children may have difficulty grasping the political aspects of the Palestinian conflict. So there’s no need to use complex political terminology.

On the other hand, older children are ready to receive more complex and political information. So don’t hesitate to provide them with that understanding.

3. Tell the History of the State of Palestine

It’s not uncommon for children, when reading about Palestine in Western media, to see the country portrayed as a hotbed of crime and rebellion.

In reality, they are simply fighting to liberate their own people from Israeli occupation.

To help children understand this perspective, it’s important to teach them about the history of the occupation that Palestine has endured.

Use the analogy of when the Dutch colonized Indonesia, so your children can understand why Palestinians chose to fight by taking up arms.

4. Relationship with Islamic Teachings

Incorporate Islamic values when educating children about the Palestinian issue. Emphasize how Islam supports a people’s right to freedom from oppression.

Also provide appropriate evidence to support this. For example, the hadith narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari 4347, which states:

Beware of the prayers of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between them and Allah.

5. Teach Your Child How to Donate Wisely

Next, encourage your child to donate as well. Parents can lead by example first.

Later on, you can encourage your child to donate using their own allowance.

Even if the amount is small, this action is crucial for teaching children to do good directly.

However, parents must also provide guidance on donating to the right organizations.

Because in situations like this, there are many unscrupulous individuals who exploit the tragedy in Palestine for their own gain.

6. Encourage Your Child to Pray

Teach your children to pray for the Palestinian freedom fighters and civilians. Do this regularly after every prayer.

These prayers should also be recited clearly to educate your children about the Palestinian issue.

This way, your children can hear the message of the prayer and let it sink into their hearts.

7. Be a Good Example

Finally, be a good example and role model. Parents shouldn’t talk about Israel’s atrocities while behaving cruelly in their daily lives.

Justice, empathy, and critical thinking must be values that parents live by.

Read Also: Addressing Islamophobia in Children: Parents Need to Teach This

Don’t scold or restrict your child over every little thing. Let your child grow up in a loving environment and focus on discussions that stimulate their thinking.

These are the 7 ways to educate your child about the Palestinian issue. I hope you find this helpful.