How to read the news about Israel and Iran to your children?

| Read time: 6 minute(s)
How to read the news about Israel and Iran to your children? On April 14th, Iran made a direct attack on Israel for the first time. Experts worry that any retaliation could drag in other countries. The situation is a dangerous jigsaw of competing interests. What is particularly worrying is that many players have an interest in keeping the conflict going to distract from their domestic troubles. The stories, images and news coming out of the Israel-Hamas war are terrifying and — in today’s 24-hour news cycle — difficult to ignore. But adults aren’t the only ones exposed to them. And they aren’t the only ones with questions. Kids are hearing about violence, and to not be able to talk about that with someone that they trust — a parent, a teacher, a neighbor — they’ll invent things, they’ll come to their own conclusions. So, I think it’s better to be honest with kids about what’s happening — in a developmentally appropriate way. For kids — regardless of age but especially the little ones — reassure them that they are safe. There’s a fantastic Mr. Rogers quote: “When bad things happen in the world, look to the caregivers.” There’s an outpouring for the people — for the Israelis, for the Palestinians. That’s what we want to show because it’s so hard to talk about people being kidnapped, murdered and killed. Why do we have to go to war? How does religion play a part in it? Talk to kids about how Jews have been persecuted across thousands of years and the rise in antisemitism right now, and the rise of Islamophobia. How do we make sure we don’t fall into the very easy generalization that they’re all bad? How do I not stick with the generalizations that lead us to racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism? For older kids, talk about the ethics of this conflict. How do we protect the people in Gaza who aren’t part of the problem and how do we get them out, why can’t they get out, why can’t aid get in, … there’s so much that’s complicated with that. Let them explore the different perspectives: What are the people of Israel saying, What are the people of Gaza saying, What has Hamas said, and Why is Hamas not representative of all Palestinians? How do we protect those people who haven’t had a voice in saying who’s going to have power? Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel on April 14, in retaliation for an alleged Israeli airstrike in Syria, represented the most dangerous round of conflict between the two countries in decades. This attack involved more than 350 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. However, it seems this round of Iran-Israel escalation is over, but the next could be just around the corner Will there be a wider conflict? 70% said yes Israel is bound to retaliate; Iran will then respond, attacking both directly and through Hezbollah. The US and Britain will weigh in on Israel’s side and the situation will spiral out of control. 30% thought no Iran does not want a war, as it showed by giving a full warning of its attack on Israel. Nor does the US, which will put maximum pressure on Israel, or any other leading Middle Eastern country.

On April 14th, Iran made a direct attack on Israel for the first time. Experts worry that any retaliation could drag in other countries. The situation is a dangerous jigsaw of competing interests. What is particularly worrying is that many players have an interest in keeping the conflict going to distract from their domestic troubles.

The stories, images and news coming out of the Israel-Hamas war are terrifying and — in today’s 24-hour news cycle — difficult to ignore. 

But adults aren’t the only ones exposed to them. And they aren’t the only ones with questions. 

Kids are hearing about violence, and to not be able to talk about that with someone that they trust — a parent, a teacher, a neighbor — they’ll invent things, they’ll come to their own conclusions. So, I think it’s better to be honest with kids about what’s happening — in a developmentally appropriate way.

For kids — regardless of age but especially the little ones — reassure them that they are safe. There’s a fantastic Mr. Rogers quote: “When bad things happen in the world, look to the caregivers.” There’s an outpouring for the people — for the Israelis, for the Palestinians. That’s what we want to show because it’s so hard to talk about people being kidnapped, murdered and killed.

Why do we have to go to war? How does religion play a part in it? Talk to kids about how Jews have been persecuted across thousands of years and the rise in antisemitism right now, and the rise of Islamophobia. How do we make sure we don’t fall into the very easy generalization that they’re all bad? How do I not stick with the generalizations that lead us to racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism?

For older kids, talk about the ethics of this conflict. How do we protect the people in Gaza who aren’t part of the problem and how do we get them out, why can’t they get out, why can’t aid get in, … there’s so much that’s complicated with that. Let them explore the different perspectives: What are the people of Israel saying, What are the people of Gaza saying, What has Hamas said, and Why is Hamas not representative of all Palestinians? How do we protect those people who haven’t had a voice in saying who’s going to have power?

Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel on April 14, in retaliation for an alleged Israeli airstrike in Syria, represented the most dangerous round of conflict between the two countries in decades. This attack involved more than 350 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. However, it seems this round of Iran-Israel escalation is over, but the next could be just around the corner…

Will there be a wider conflict?

70% said yes

Israel is bound to retaliate; Iran will then respond, attacking both directly and through Hezbollah. The US and Britain will weigh in on Israel’s side and the situation will spiral out of control.

30% thought no

Iran does not want a war, as it showed by giving a full warning of its attack on Israel. Nor does the US, which will put maximum pressure on Israel, or any other leading Middle Eastern country.

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