On the morning of Saturday 18th January, a queue snaked along Eden Quay, as trade unionists and civil society group members waited patiently to enter the Liberty Hall Theatre. They were there to attend the Conference on the Rights of Palestinian Children, spearheaded by the INTO. 

With a tentative ceasefire due to take effect the following day, the Conference was fortuitously timed, and a cautious sense of hope permeated proceedings.

At the outset Sandra Corrigan, INTO Global Solidarity Officer and lead conference organiser acknowledged the support of Trade Union Friends of Palestine in the preparation of the event, and paid tribute to the help provided by Fórsa’s Denis Keane. 

The Conference gathered speakers from the Irish and Palestinian trade union movements, along with UN experts, and activists. The afternoon session was devoted to young Palestinians, their voices being brought front and centre as the ones who have experienced first-hand the issues being discussed.

Over the day speakers sought to establish a full picture of life for Palestinian children and map a route forward to allow them the same safety and school access all children deserve.

Iman Al-Shayeb, member of the general secretariat of the Palestinian Teacher’s Union, described Israel’s actions as intentional scholasticide. She said: “It is a systemic genocide aimed at destroying the education system in the Gaza strip, and depriving generations of access to education.” She noted “90% of schools in Gaza have been completely or partially destroyed.”

Appearing by video link, Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, described Palestinian childhood as “‘unchilding” which she defined as “the robbing of Palestinian children of everything that makes a childhood.”

In prerecorded contributions, children in Gaza gave a glimpse of what ‘unchilding’ looks like.  One drew attention to the food shortage saying: “We can’t find food, we can’t find flour.” Another who wished to be a doctor told how the war had come “and destroyed all my dreams.” While a boy of no more than nine years old said “the smell of death is everywhere.” 

On the Wednesday before the conference one of the contributing children was killed by an Israeli rocket strike along with his family. His name was Ramadan. 

Further underlining the lived experience of young Palestinians, another contributor was unable to attend on the day as a close family relative had been arrested by the IDF. Their family has been unable to learn what accusations their family member face.

When discussing a path forward, Tahla Al Ali, psychotherapist and human rights activist, shared a Palestinian proverb “the one who is drowning wouldn’t be worried about drying their clothes.” According to Tahla, peace will be needed for Palestinian children to heal and reclaim their childhoods. 

Tahla drew a distinction between peace and the return to pre-October 7th conditions of occupation. This sentiment was reiterated by Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, who said “ceasefire will only lead to a loss of visible genocide.”

Wrapping up proceedings, John Boyle, INTO general secretary, captured the mood in the room saying “We will not rest until apartheid in Israel is ended, and will not stop until the committers of heinous crimes see justice.”

Following the conference, the INTO are set to produce a report based on the day’s contributions.

Looking back on the day Sandra said: “It was a very tough day emotionally, but hopefully the connections, conversations and positive actions that stem from the day will help to make a real difference to children in Palestine and other children in need around the world.”

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