Palestinian photo cards another contentious issue for region

May 13, 2004

Amid bloody conflict on the West Bank, Nablus children engage in a Western pastime: collecting trading cards, according to a report aired Tuesday on CNN's Newsnight with Aaron Brown.

The cards themselves cause tension between Palestinians and Israelis in a land of war and terror.  Images portray the graphic violence of everyday life, said reporter John Vause.  Kids pay the equivalent of 10 cents for four cards that may be pasted in a book titled "The Intifada Album."

A Palestinian businessman conceived the cards.  He claimed 15 million have been printed.

The businessman exhibited a sample to CNN's correspondent and said, "This is a photo of a Palestinian youth killed by the Israelis.  His body is being carried by his friends."  

Later, the man stated, "We chose images that show everyday life for Palestinians in the intifada.  We were sensitive not to use pictures that were painful to kids." 

Israel's news media characterizes the cards as a glorification of martyrdom and a subliminal message to turn children into suicide bombers.

Two hundred twenty-nine cards comprise the set.  By filling their albums youngsters are eligible to win personal computers, bicycles and hip-worn music players.  

The video footage showed the cards to be made of photo paper stock.  Plans are being made for a second trading card album by the end of the year.

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