Stolen Youth The Politics of Israel’s Detention of Palestinian Children by Catherine Cook, Adam Hanieh, and Adah Kay (London and Sterling, VA: Pluto Press, in association with Defence for Children International: Palestine Section, 2004. 197 pages.)

Abstract

The subject of child detention is fraught with complexities of both a legal
and an emotional nature, particularly when placed in the context of conflict. Founded on the Defence for Children International: Palestine Section’s
(DCI/PS) work conducted between 1999 and 2003, the contributors developed
a level of expertise in the realm of youth detention in Israeli prisons
through research, advocacy work, and the experiences of their colleagues,
many of whom were former child detainees. The result is a compelling and
often disquieting read, replete with testimonies by the children, their families,
and lawyers which relates the unforgiving conditions and obstacles that
clutter the legal process and place the child at a disadvantage.
Edifying and cogent, the authors maintain an objective narrative
throughout, thereby enabling the reader to absorb the circumstances and
legal framework prior to constructing an independent conclusion. In addition,
the tables, graphs, and figures corroborate and clarify such subjects as
Israeli position abuse (shabeh), the characteristics of prisons, and key terms
related to human rights and humanitarian law, as well as a glossary that provides
background information concerning the noted organizations, statutes,
and terminologies ...