InfoAnda - Shell-shocked Gaza children flock to martial arts

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

French unions up ante with pension protest | 2 October 2010
Macau's curb on casinos may unsettle investors: analyst | 27 March 2010
US retail sales data deepens year-end gloom | 27 December 2008

Brand, Perry set for Hindu wedding in India | 23 October 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Shell-shocked Gaza children flock to martial arts

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Shell-shocked Gaza children flock to martial arts AFP - Thursday, August 20 GAZA CITY (AFP) - - Salih al-Masri, a skinny nine-year-old in a red martial arts uniform, grits his teeth as he stands barefoot on shards of broken glass and recalls his family's plight during the war in Gaza. ADVERTISEMENT "This sport makes me strong so I can defend myself, my family and my country from the Jews," he says, without betraying the slightest wince of pain. "We ran away from our home during the war because we were afraid of the shelling," he adds. "But after we returned I started coming here every day to train. Now I'm strong, and I'm not afraid of anyone." Haunted by what they saw during the massive Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip at the turn of the year, growing numbers of children are flocking to martial arts classes across the devastated Palestinian coastal territory. Private clubs offering kung fu and karate lessons have attracted scores of new students in the wake of the fighting, a phenomenon child psychologists attribute to widespread mental trauma. On a recent summer day several of the younger students at a club in the northern town of Beit Lahiya gathered to watch in awe as Salih al-Sawalja, 15, lay on a bed of nails with two other boys standing on his chest. "No one will be able to mess with us after we become kung fu masters," a wide-eyed Nashaat Abu Harbid, a nine-year-old, says. "Everyone will be afraid of us." As Sawalja moves on to the next exhibition, where he will walk barefoot over the upturned blades of several large knives, he explains that kung fu increases his self-confidence and allows him to "protect myself from anything". Helmi Matar, a coach at the Beit Lahiya club, says interest in the martial arts has grown in the wake of the war, which killed more than 1,400 Palestinians and left vast swathes of the impoverished enclave in ruins. "Interest in the sport grew exponentially after the war because people wanted a distraction and for their kids to release pent-up energy," he says. A spokesman for Gaza's kung fu and karate union confirmed that attendance at the classes has doubled since the war, which Israel said was aimed at halting Palestinian rocket fire from the besieged, Hamas-run strip. Child psychologists fear that the increased interest stems from the trauma children suffered during the three weeks of near-continual air strikes and shelling. "Children internalise a huge amount of violence in war and they are not able to express it, especially when they feel that no one in their family can protect them," says Iyad Sarraj, a psychiatrist and director of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme. "Violence begets violence. The children try to release this built-up energy during sports. They choose violence because it fits with their situation and to boost their sense of power and security." Osama Darabih, a lean teenager with a strip of black cloth wrapped around his forehead, has been studying kung fu for three years but says he started coming every day after the war. "These sports are dangerous and there have been injuries and accidents during training," he says as he waits his turn to spar. "But we train well because we love it. It relaxes us and releases our tensions." More than half of Gaza's 1.4 million residents are under the age of 18, and psychologists fear the coming generation will be snared by the cycle of violence that has afflicted the territory since the 2000 Palestinian uprising. Samir Zaqut, a psychologist who works with Sarraj, says the children are drawn to violent activities by what they have experienced. "When these children put their necks or their heads on broken glass or lie on nails they are in danger. But people who face repeated traumas like to take risks and are drawn to danger." Zaqut fears that by encouraging interest in such activities, the club owners may be feeding into the violence that has convulsed the territory in recent years and scarred its young people. "Sports are one way of getting a release, but we should not allow it to increase the level of violence," he says. "The children of Gaza have suffered enough." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle Seinfeld to salute Cosby with top humor prizeAP - 2 hours 4 minutes ago Reality TV star sought in death may be in CanadaAP - 2 hours 24 minutes ago Jethro might buy Nev. casino for Hillbillies planAP - 2 hours 46 minutes ago Judge rejects bid to stop Stella perfume launchAP - Friday, August 21 German critics lap up Tarantino's Jewish revenge fantasyAFP - Friday, August 21 Enlarge Photo A Palestinian boy performs flexibility exercises during a training session at the Red Dragon martial arts club in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip. Since the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip earlier this year, an increased number of Palestinian children are joining martial arts clubs. Psychologists believe this is a method for the children to release their anger and gain a feeling of strength. Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed Merkel still world's most powerful woman: Forbes It's nuts! Squirrel becomes a Web sensation Egypt warns pharaohs' tombs could disappear Canadian singer Celine Dion pregnant with second child UK UFO sightings spiked when blockbusters released View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Thursday, 20 August 2009
95 killed in Baghdad bomb carnage
Crew of Arctic Sea arrive in Cape Verde
Web tools help protect human rights activists
Bodies and disbelief as security shattered in Baghdad
BoE chief call sparks doubt over Britain recovery
UBS to reveal 4,450 accounts, escapes fine in US tax deal
Greek pilots see red from laser pen pranks
Germany, Hungary mark anniversary of Iron Curtain breach
Iran's Ahmadinejad may face tough fight over cabinet
Nokia targets India with low-cost handsets: CEO
Scots say to rule on Lockerbie bomber on Thursday | International |
Twitter site offers followers line to God
Asustek aims to ship 1 million smartphones in 2010
Nigeria threatens to arrest bank debtors, seize assets | International |
Mexico hit by lowest rainfall in 68 years | International |
Israel slams Swedish tabloid's organ theft story | International |
Merkel hails Hungary demo that led to Wall's fall | International |
Nokia targets India with low-cost handsets: CEO
Sony launches cash-for-televisions scheme in Britain
Funeral home mix-up: Pa. family mourns wrong body
Milwaukee mayor says attack escalated quickly
A look at the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Top-mileage hybrid sedans are Fords
Government enlists employers' help to contain flu
Number of kids poisoned by lead in China rises
Thailand's swine flu death toll reaches 111
LaHood says car dealers will 'get their money'
At least 13 die in Pakistan bus crash
Pittsburgh mom says daughter bulled into anorexia
Koreas mourn death of SKorea's Kim Dae-jung
Web tools help protect human rights activists | Technology |
CA arsonist's relative accused of jury tampering
Md. police: Man nicknamed 'Hitler' beat black man
Diddy seeks new stars of Facebook generation | Technology |
Dump truck overturns, killing 25 Indonesians
Life expectancy in US up, deaths not, CDC says
Deaths, lung damage linked to nanoparticles in China | Technology |
3 militants die on eve of Afghan presidential vote
Coca-Cola, Pepsi on Beijing's worst polluter list
Indian party expels leader for book on Pakistan
US senator visits Vietnam at end of SE Asian tour
China promises aid to small businesses
Migrant children's risky trips to U.S. in new film
Cable's top programs for Aug. 10-16
Don Hewitt, creator of "60 Minutes," dead at 86
YouTube gets Time Warner's Adult Swim, "Gossip Girl"
Italian city bars Muslim 'burqini' swimsuit
Greyhound buses take to British roads
Diddy seeks new stars of Facebook generation | Entertainment |
Italians tiring of chasing elusive mega-jackpot
Don Hewitt, creator of 60 Minutes, dead at 86 | Entertainment |
British exhibition marks 70th anniversary of WWII outbreak
Fat Duck restaurant on top again after food scare
Britain bans Japanese horror film
YouTube signs deal to feature Time Warner cable shows | Entertainment |
Migrant children's risky trips to U.S. in new film | Entertainment |
News
News
News
News
News
Afghanistan votes for president
Sporadic attacks across Afghanistan as polls open | International |
Two arrested over biggest gem robbery: police
Google helps advertisers predict hot search topics
Polls open for landmark Afghan elections
'Alive' plane crash survivors call for organ donors
Death toll climbs in Russian dam accident
Merkel still world's most powerful woman: Forbes
Deaths, lung damage linked to nanoparticles in China
Arctic Sea crew, hijack suspects board plane for Moscow
It's nuts! Squirrel becomes a Web sensation
Iraq forces admit lapses after blasts kill 95
North Korea to send mourners to South, signals softening | International |
Pirate Party swashbuckles into Finnish politics
North, south Sudan agree on implementing peace deal
Norway diplomat blasts absent U.N. chief: report | International |
Iran's Ahmadinejad may face battle over cabinet
Wave of Baghdad blasts kills at least 95
Taiwan approves $2.9 billion for typhoon reconstruction | International |
Syria's Assad condemns foreign meddling in Iran
Iran's Ahmadinejad to address nation on cabinet | International |
Baghdad blasts kill 95 as Iraqi security criticised
Australia soothes China on separatists | International |
Iran's Khamenei praises Syria's 'resistance'
Sony launches cash-for-televisions scheme in Britain
North, south Sudan agree on implementing peace deal | International |
Japan opposition could win by a landslide: media | International |
Scotland rules on Lockerbie bomber on Thursday | International |
Obama makes moral case for health reform
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,332
Rep. Frank lashes out at protester for Nazi remark
Excerpts from air traffic conversations
1,000 on strike at Vietnam shoe firm: company
MySpace to buy Web music service iLike | Technology |
Text of Sen. Ensign's interview with the AP
'Trust deficit' bedevils prickly China-India ties
Detroit boy, 12, faces life murder charge in death
CORRECTED
Next space shuttle launch set for next week
Judge stands by closing ahead of death-row appeal
Under-fire Taiwan cabinet to submit typhoon budget
Ex-Syrian soldier pleads innocent to arms dealing
North Korea to send mourners to South
US man says no regrets about Myanmar jailing
North Korea sending "good" signals, Richardson says
Pakistan seeks lawyers to defend al Qaeda suspect
NKorea wants direct talks with US: Richardson
Tokyo chief hopes he is swimming towards Olympic gold
Tom Sherak excited to be president of film academy
Seoul shares up 0.5 pct on banks, energy stocks
S.Korean bonds climb on U.S. lead, supply fall
Seoul shares open up as techs continue advance
VW targets sales of 100,000 cars in India by 2014
Price-fixing charges filed against former Taiwan executive
Sale of Warhol's Jacko portrait 'not so hot'
Tom Sherak excited to be president of film academy
Special effects go wild in kids' fantasy "Shorts"
Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz smash chart records
Mexico dancers prepare Thriller record bid
Food critic pens book about relationship with food
Jay Leno says new comedy show is "a lot more work"
Miss Universe ticket sales slow, forcing deals
Daughtry announces arena tour dates
Jay Leno says new comedy show is a lot more work | Entertainment |
Capsule reviews: `Inglourious Basterds,' others
Jackson Brothers reality series a go at A&E | Entertainment |
Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz smash chart records | Entertainment |
Lad rock kings Kasabian reject Oasis tag | Entertainment |
Special effects go wild in kids' fantasy Shorts | Entertainment |
Oprah and Dr Oz sue over alleged false endorsements | Entertainment |
Strait dethrones Jackson on album chart | Entertainment |
Iran lawmakers warn of clash over new government
Bollywood looks to call the tune on music downloads
Arctic Sea crew, suspected hijackers back in Moscow
Arctic Sea crew, suspected hijackers land in Moscow
China defence ministry launches website
Israeli scientists find way to combat forged DNA
Lockerbie bomber freed to return to Libya to die | International |
Wikipedia launches iPhone application
Iraqi fear, anger that bombings were not prevented | International |
Libya sees Swiss apology for arrest of Gaddafi son | International |
Proud, defiant Afghans trickle to polling booths
French police finds suspected ETA arms cache | International |
Arctic Sea hijackers questioned in Russian jail | International |
Pakistani Taliban deputy chief says takes command | International |
Gamers face real weather in new sports simulations | Technology |
New technology key to gaming sector in downturn | Technology |
Australia targets 20% renewable energy by 2020
China launches defense website in transparency bid | Technology |
Lead poisoning scare spreads to central China
MySpace to buy Web music service iLike | Technology |
Obama to go on right-leaning radio show
U.S. grants $1.2 billion for electronic health records | Technology |
Body of SKorea's Kim moved into place for funeral
N.Korea holds US talks, plans to send team to S.Korea
Defiant Afghans vote despite violence
Evidence hearing scheduled in Fla. double killing
N.Korea holds US talks, eases border restrictions
Signs grow that Lockerbie bomber to be freed
Taiwan earmarks $3B storm reconstruction budget
Lawsuit: woman claims assault by David Copperfield
Khmer Rouge verdict expected in early 2010
China says 1,300 sick in new lead poisoning case
Rifts as Pakistan Taliban deputy claims leadership
Ex-reporter Jayson Blair now working as life coach
Jokes about barbecuing a cat preceded midair crash
CIA hired Blackwater for assassin program: reports
EU nations to take Guantanamo detainees: report
Taiwan dollar up on exporters, China stocks
South Korea to boost monitoring of housing market
Seoul shares gain 2 pct helped by banks, carmakers =2
China approves Tianwan nuclear plant expansion
Japan recovery prospects unsure: BoJ board member
China Mobile reports half-year profit up 1.5%
Seoul shares gain 2 pct helped by banks, carmakers
South Korea asks banks to pay back foreign debt
Philippines economy 'shrank' in Q2: report
New Zealand shows signs of growth in Q2
Hitler watercolours under the hammer in Germany
India Art Summit opens, minus most acclaimed painter
Comic artists defy Tehran with 'Persepolis 2.0'
Woman sues David Copperfield for sexual assault
East Coast rocker-scientists swap labs for stage
Bollywood to pay video tribute to Michael Jackson
Shell-shocked Gaza children flock to martial arts
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Jackson Brothers reality series a go at A&E
3-D version of "Yellow Submarine" on the way: report
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01