Vast majority of young Palestinians depressed: UN
AFP
RAMALLAH (AFP) - The vast majority of Palestinian youth are depressed, but do not believe that violence is helpful in resolving the Middle East conflict, said a UN report released on Tuesday.
"More than 80 percent of young Palestinians are depressed and 47 percent identify themselves as Muslim rather than Palestinian," the United Nations Development Programme report said.
Sixty-nine percent of those questioned "believe that the use of violence as a means to resolve the conflict is not very helpful, while only eight percent believe it is an important tool."
When asked to define their identity, 47 percent called themselves Muslims, 28 percent Palestinians, 14 percent humans and 10 percent Arabs.
"Young people are exceptionally vulnerable in a conflict situation. They are more likely to be injured, arrested or sucked into harmful situations," said Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, Special Representative for UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People.
The report was based on interviews with 1,200 Palestinians aged 17 to 24 in the West Bank and Gaza.
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Image from www.humanemergencemiddleeast.org.