Palestine-Global Mental Health Network, in collaboration with its international counterparts, is launching this International Petition to demand that world governments hold Israel accountable to the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prioritizes the inherent right to life and upholds the best interests of all children.

In Lebanon, since October 4, 2024, Israeli aggression has claimed the life of at least one child on a daily basis, with many children injured. Although many children have physically survived the prolonged bombings, they are experiencing severe psychological distress due to the surrounding turmoil. According to a report by UNICEF, numerous children in Lebanon are showing concerning symptoms of emotional, behavioral, and physical distress.

Save the Children International, in its October 2024 report, has observed that the previous year of Israeli bombardment has shattered childhood in Gaza. The occupied Palestinian territory, particularly Gaza, is the deadliest place on earth to be a child. Every day, ten children in Gaza lose a limb; the Israeli authorities do not allow children to leave Gaza for essential medical treatment. The children of Gaza  face violence, fear, loss, displacement, forced hunger, and devastation. Those who survive are being stripped of their childhood. The longer this continues, the harder it will be for children even to begin to recover from the trauma inflicted on them. 

In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Palestinian children face escalating violence and displacement due to Israeli attacks and brutal Israeli settler violence. Since October 2023, Israel has killed three times as many Palestinian children compared to the year before. A Palestinian child is being killed by Israel every two days on average.

Sign our International Petition and demand protection for Lebanese and Palestinian children.

Please circulate this International Petition widely.

Endorsing Individuals

Endorsing Organizations

  • Defense of Children International-Palestine

  • Doctors Against Genocide

  • Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council

  • The International Palestine-Mental Health Networks
    (Australia, Canada, Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, France, Iraq, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Ireland, South Africa, Sweden, The Netherlands, Turkiye, United Kindom and the United States)

  • Visualizing Palestine