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Politics : Moderate Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: zonder who wrote (8942)	3/31/2004 12:39:16 PM
From: Thomas M.	Respond to of 20773

The difference is that Church repression has been widely discussed. That's why you know about it. Tom

To: zonder who wrote (8942)	3/31/2004 5:22:21 PM
From: E. T.	Respond to of 20773

Palestinian militants lure teen bombers: 15-year-old promised cellphone, paradise By ALI DARAGHMEH Associated Press Wednesday, March 31, 2004 NABLUS, WEST BANK -- Palestinian militants tried to recruit a 15-year-old as a suicide bomber, luring him with clothes, a cellphone and promises of paradise, his family said yesterday. The account of Grade 9 student Tamer Khweirah, who was rescued by an alert older brother, underscores the growing use of young teenagers by militant groups. Tamer is one of four teens arrested by the Israeli military in Nablus in the past week on suspicion of having been recruited by militants. One of them, Hussam Abdo, 16, was caught at an Israeli checkpoint with about eight kilograms of explosives strapped to his body. The youths, all of whom are still in custody, knew each other; Tamer, Hussam and a third teen attended the same school. The Israeli military said Palestinian militants are increasingly targeting youngsters, in part because they arouse less suspicion at Israeli checkpoints. The use of young people has drawn criticism from some Palestinian intellectuals and educators, who say the militants are harming the Palestinian cause. The Al Ayyam newspaper, which often reflects the views of the Palestinian Authority, ran a story yesterday about Tamer, including his parents' demand that the recruiters be prosecuted. Palestinian security officials said their forces have become so ineffective, largely due to Israeli restrictions, that they cannot rein in the militants. Tamer was approached by the Islamic Jihad group at a Nablus mosque last week, after Israel assassinated Hamas founder Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the boy's 26-year-old brother, Raed Khweirah, said. Raed said his brother told him that in the mosque, Tamer and other worshippers expressed their anger about the killing and a 19-year-old Islamic Jihad activist asked him whether he wanted to meet a religious leader. Tamer was taken to a Nablus home where he met the sheik, who introduced himself as Ibrahim. In the first session, the sheik spoke to Tamer about the need to avenge Mr. Yassin, whose group is blamed for suicide bombings that have killed hundreds of Israelis. At a second session, the sheik tried to persuade Tamer to carry out a suicide bombing. He locked Tamer in a dark room for a while, then took him to a well-lit room, saying this illustrated the difference between eternal damnation and paradise, Raed said. When Tamer expressed concern that his family home would be demolished, standard Israeli reprisal for suicide bombers, the sheik said Islamic Jihad would pay $45,000 to make up for the loss. Islamic Jihad members gave Tamer about $60, a cellphone, new jeans and a new shirt, said his older brother, who became concerned when Tamer skipped school twice last week. Raed said he sought help from the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, an armed group with ties to Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement. Although Al-Aqsa itself has carried out suicide bombings, Raed hoped they would agree his brother was not an appropriate candidate. A tearful Tamer returned home and confessed to his family, Raed said. The teen was arrested by Israeli soldiers the next day.