I'm copying a message here that was sent to KIDPROJ for the "Through Our Eyes" project. I think it has a lot to do with our topic of "rights." Tell us your thoughts about rights... your right to be safe... and the right to go on a school field trip without fear.

This message comes from a teacher in Israel, Marion Ben-Amir. You might want to write to her and invite her students to our "What Are My Rights?"module.

All the best,
Patti

Date: Sun, 08 Nov 1998 09:42:19 +0200F
rom: marion ben-amir
To: KIDLINK - Special Youth Projects
Subject: Re: TOE and our friends in Israel

Regina asked for an explanation of what I meant when I wrote that we can't visit the Old City for security reasons. Very sadly, the answer was given on Friday morning when a terrorist car bomb exploded at the entrance to the Mahane Yehuda street market ( this was one of the alternative sites the class had proposed). The bomber placed the car just beside the number 36 bus stop. This bus serves our neighbourhood and school. Although we were in school at the time and at that very moment discussing the problem of describing the old City without visiting as a class, many of our pupils' parents were doing their weekend shopping at the market. By some "miracle" no shoppers were killed in the attack but many were injured and traumatised. As you can imagine, yesterday was a very difficult day for all of us at school.

We live in a wonderful and fascinating city and, in general, our everyday life is similar to life in most western countries. In fact, our streets and public transport are freer of violence, day and night, than many other places. For example, young people can and do travel about safely on buses until after midnight. Unfortunately, we in Israel are still dealing with very difficult political problems which extremists are trying to solve by violent means. In the face of terrorist attacks, we have to be even stronger in our resolve to solve the problems of the area through negotiation and compromise.

As regards visits to the Old City - the Ministry of Education does, in fact, give permission for field trips to most parts of the city, but parental permission is also required and many parents refuse, although as individuals they would go everywhere in the city There may be the feeling that a group of children is an easy target.

Having said all that, we have to keep things in propoportion. Jerusalem hosts almost two million foreign tourists every year. They are to be found wandering about in every part of the city and there are no restrictions. The chance of being involved in a violent incident is statistically very small indeed. What I always say to tourists who ask me if Jerusalem is dangerous - I always say, "Yes, it is" - if you don't take care when you cross the road!

Marion