Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), December 10, 2010.
A Hamas documentary from Al-Aqsa TV presents children in an elementary school in the Sur Baher neighborhood of Jerusalem, a sign for the Islamic Riyad [Gardens of] Al-Aqsa School shown in the beginning of the video.
The video is played with the children in different scenes singing a song which includes the following lyrics: “How strong is the army of Al-Aqsa, I am a soldier defending its protected area”, “I shall give up my life for its sake”, and “May the glory of the religion [Islam] return and may my blood be shed”
The video provides evidence of the encouragement and promotion of children to take part in and aspire to violence, one scene showing a young boy holding a rifle bullet as other children cover his face in front of the camera. A second boy is then shown with his shirt partially obscuring his face as he holds up a stone.
The following is the transcript of the words of the songs Arab children were taught in Sur Baher in East Jerusalem:
[Sign on school:] “The Islamic Riyad (Gardens of) Al-Aqsa Schools – Sur Baher” (Jerusalem)
Young children in school sing:
“How beautiful are the gardens of Al-Aqsa.
I am a bud atop its hills.”
Footage of children doing “V” signs while others try to hide their faces as they hold up stones and a rifle bullet.
“How strong is the army of Al-Aqsa.
I am a soldier, defending its protected area.
How precious is the land of Al-Aqsa.
I shall give up my life for its sake.”
Young children in classroom sing:
“In the way of Allah we proceed aspiring to raise the flag.
May the glory of the religion (Islam) return, and may our blood be shed.”
