Photo/Illutration Participants line up candles in front of Hiroshima’s Atomic Bomb Dome to call for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip on Nov. 11. (Jun Ueda)

The Japan Prize is an international competition established by Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) in 1965.

One of its aims, according to NHK, is “to foster mutual understanding between societies and cultures by recognizing works that make innovative use of visual media.”

This year’s Grand Prix Japan Prize was awarded to “Two Kids A Day,” a documentary film about four Palestinian boys who were taken prisoner in Israel for throwing stones at Israeli troops.

The images are deeply disturbing for anyone not used to war.

In the film, Israeli forces warn Palestinians in the West Bank to the effect, “We will kill all who throw stones at us. Every single one. Even if they are children, they will not be spared. We will go after them and kill them all.”

That night, armed soldiers raid Palestinian homes, blindfold residents and haul them off.

Ali, then 14, wept while he was being interrogated in handcuffs. He is 17 now, but he is still haunted by the experience.

“I’m terrified,” he says. “At night, I can see them coming for me.”

The boys were imprisoned for between one and four years.

There must have been children like him among the 150 Palestinians who were freed by Israelis in the first prisoner swap under a four-day cease-fire agreement.

It was reported that among them were boys who had thrown stones at Israeli troops.

My thoughts also go to the 69 people whom Hamas released after holding them hostage. I saw a photo of a tearful 17-year-old girl being hugged and comforted. How scared she must have been.

On Nov. 29, 1947, the U.N. General Assembly adopted Resolution 181 (II) that recommended the creation of independent Arab and Jewish states in Palestine.

Looking for differences between Arabs and Jews is an exercise that will never end. It would make more sense to look for similarities, as they must live as neighbors.

The four-day cease-fire will be extended until Nov. 30. There could not be any difference between Palestinians and Israelis when it comes to hoping for the safety of their loved ones.

Nobody wants any more tragedy. I know this is only a narrow road, but I must write this: Extend the current cease-fire into an armistice. I will not stop hoping.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 29

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.