Young Palestinian Boys, Old Jerusalem, Israel

@Evelyne Dubos: Yes, that is what i saw everywhere i looked... carefree youth, beautiful, friendly souls; open hearts. I was humbled and amazed. Life isn't easy and is probably often unpleasant... but they were filled with such magical radiance!

@tyan: you couldn't have said it better, i agree completely! thanks for the comment!

@Alun Lambert: Cheers mate.

@Mazi: Isn't unfortunate that in this modern world of today there are still so many things we cannot do? It is ridiculous really... I hope all this changes soon and you get your wish!

@zOOm: Seems that they are always smiling. And it is so disarming... It melts your heart. :)

@fcofont: thank you, yes very true... but it was heartbreaking to see these beautiful children would one day shoulder the blame of political oppression, starvation, war, grief... an unending cycle... it made we realize quite sharply that the Palestinian adults americans are politically opposed to were once and still are to some degree these gorgeous kids in this photo that i fell in love with. (!)

@shoti: Thanks for the feedback! But i took another long look at the pic and don't see it. Is it the colors they are wearing? These kids weren't poor. And i believe i have a good spectrum of white 'white' to black 'black'... can you elaborate a bit more? Cheers. :)

@Riccardo: Sincere thanks mate. It was a bittersweet moment when my realization dawned on me. But all i could do was snap the picture and move on knowing inside that i would be changed by this moment. I don't think this moment would be remembered by them collectively. They didn't speak english and i certainly cannot speak arabic. Ironically, before the realization hit me, i had spoken to them in english saying 'i am from america, can i take a picture of you?' and that is what got me these heartbreaking smiles! Thanks for your comments!

@Andrew Gould: Sincere thanks! This was one of those 'yikes--where's my camera?' moments as i came around the bend and found these boys playing. I tried quite futilely to get the boys to line up... they were quite excitable when i approached them. so when i finally clicked away thinking i would loose the moment (i took 3 pics total) i just figured i would get whatever results i'd get--and have to put up with it...! I so totally lucked out composition-wise... i didn't see the amazing pentagon that is so obvious to me now... and their expressions are priceless to me... :)

@Sasha: Thank you! Let's all cross our fingers that by the time they get to be aware of the world, the political dynamics will be different!! Cheers for the comment!

@TravBoy: Thanks! Hehe... in a perfect world i would have preferred him to be in plain sight and not mostly hidden... but can't do anything about it now. At least his face is partially visible! :)

@Twelvebit: thanks for the comment mate! yes -- i would agree with you on that. taking a picture of kids anywhere is a gamble... but i figured i wouldn't get into trouble with kids in israel and jordan... they are so friendly! and they often roam the streets and alley-ways alone or in pairs. their parents aren't over-bearing and won't sue or think i am trying to hurt them (which is really ironic, right?)... these kids got excited when they saw the camera -- they weren't shy at all! :)

@Zing: Smiles on children are wonderful things. Thank you kindly! :)