Palestinian kids attempt to fly 15,000 kites; The United Nations is touting it as an attempt by “David” to defeat “Goliath.”
By ARIEH O’SULLIVAN / THE MEDIA LINE, JPOST.COMGaza children 311 R(photo credit: REUTERS/ Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Israel Picture Servi)
Thursday afternoon, thousands of Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip will attempt to smash a world record as they stage the largest-ever kite flying event in history.Organized by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), the kite fliers will attempt to launch no less than 15,000 kites along the shores of the Mediterranean. They hope to break the world record set by China in April when kite enthusiasts in Shandong province flew 10,465 kites.RELATED:Six months on, Egypt's revolt disappoints GazansWife battering, sexual abuse get attention in Gaza“Taking on the might of China is a daunting feat for the children of Gaza,” said UNRWA acting director in Gaza, Christer Nordahl. “I have no doubt that the kids of Gaza will smash this record and achieve world record glory.”They will attempt to beat the Guinness world record by outdoing the Chinese by more than 4,500 kites. “The stage is set for another dramatic piece of world record mega-theater,” said Chris Gunness, UNRWA spokesman, who bemoaned the Israeli blockade on the coastal strip, home to some 1.5 million people.“The kites will provide another iconic reminder of the beauty and potential of these children, despite the injustices they face,” Guinness said.This summer, UNRWA summer camps already broth world records for the largest number of people flying parachutes from the ground, dribbling footballs simultaneously and producing the world’s largest-ever handprint painting.UNRWA, a UN agency set up uniquely for Palestinian refugees, was established in 1949 and currently services five million people in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria as well as in Gaza and the West Bank.
