Basil of Al-Walaja: RIP

By Mazin Qumsiyeh

My encounter with the Al-Araj family began in 2009, the year I met Basil and
Shireen and started joining them in demonstrations in Al-Walaja village. On 6
March 2017, Basil was murdered by the Israeli army. He was 31 years old.
Others will speak of his martyrdom, I will speak of his life and what he told me.
Basil would have wanted it told this way. I learned intimate details about Basil
and his family life the third time we were detained together. He was 24 years
old, I was twice his age. This was in what Basil accurately described as a holding
pin not fit for animals which I and many Palestinian males shared with one
Palestinian female, my friend and Basils aunt Shireen Al-Araj. I had been
taken twice before with Basil and once with Shireen before this particular
incident (and more after). It was these arrests that deepened my high regard
for the family. Beyond their decency and honest dealings were acts of self-
sacrifice that earned the family the respect of their entire village of Al-Walaja
and I dare to say all of Palestine. This is similar to Al-Tamimi family of Nebi
Saleh and it was no coincidence that Basem Tamimi was there with us in Al-
Walaja the day after Basils murder. Here I am not telling you the story of Basil
but I am recounting what Basil told me and I had written down in 2014 (was
planning to publish inspirational Palestinian stories in a book). I merely now
edited it to a) add this introduction) b) change to past tense instead of present
tense ('Basil says or relays' now becomes 'Basil said or relayed'), and c) I added
a brief ending with his last words.

Having time on our hands on that day 19 May 2011, Basil told me the story of his
grandfather Ibrahim and the villagers of Al-Walaja who valiantly struggled
against the Israeli occupiers to save their land. That day over fifty of us had
been herded into one small cell men and one woman, people of all ages, some as
young as twelve, others well over sixty and most jailed for the first time. The
Israeli soldiers holding us seemed even more miserable and nervous than those
of us crammed into that small cell. Our crime was nonviolent resistance, their
discomfort signaling guilt a force their training had only taught them to handle
using violence. They had roughed us up, made us stand battered and bleeding in
the sun for hours. The younger guards didnt look us straight in the eye but
lowered their heads or looked around in gestures that betrayed their
uncertainty, confusion, and one might venture to say fear. Basil wondered if it is
the uncertainty of a criminal fearing being caught!

Reason became apparent when four Israelis imprisoned with us began conversing
in Hebrew. In spite of the soldiers telling us it was forbidden to talk, our Israeli
cellmates kept on keeping their voices low yet audible enough for the guards to
hear. Yelling, the guards feigned displeasure but being curious, imposed no
punishment and remained attentive to the conversation. Most of my fellow
inmates quickly befriended each other but I remained cautious because I have
heard that Israelis sometimes plant informers among the inmates to gather
information. I only trusted Basil and Shireen whom I knew for at least two years
prior to this arrest (2009). I thus talked to them and especially Basil at length.

It was earlier that week when our group first gathered on the terraced hillside
lush with trees and an olive grove that we planned that action with Israelis. We
were all determined to defend with our bodies the oldest olive tree in the
Bethlehem district. There was one tree believed to be between three thousand
years old.
Huddled in a corner on the cold concrete cell floor, we whispered. In spite of
hunger and exhaustion our spirits were kept high talking boldly about a future
focused on coexistence all peoples sharing one land in one democratic state.
Topics centered on an end to repression and segregated government schools.
Idealistic planning flowed naturally among comrades locked in mutual struggle,
helped to ward off the misery of confinement and keep spirits high. The guard
soldiers paced nervously back and forth hesitated to listen to our whispered
conversation before issuing another reprimand for talking.

But as the group convesation ended we talked among smaller groups or one on
one. Basil approached me and asked me about my family. I asked him about his
family and was mesmerized by glimpses of family life and history (partly because
I was writing a book on Popular Resistance in Palestine which was published later
in 2012). Part of what I write here was supposed to be printed in that book but
the editor wisely suggested a shorter more concise book and saving more
detailed personal stories to another book (and I have many of those) which I
never published. I tried to remember much of what Basil told me in that prison
cell but to be sure of the details, I visited with him six months later at his home
in Al-Walaja and spent a whole evening learned much more about Al-Walajas
history and his family.

Basil was called the intellectual revolutionary for good reason. He had a keen
mind and had read many books. When I gave him a copy of my book on Popular
Resistance in Arabic in late 2013 (or perhaps early 2014), he finished reading it
in three weeks and came back to me with lots of questions and wanting to know
more., He was especially fascinated by the part of how Palestinians transcended
the divisions of 1920s and early 1930s (over two dozen factions infighting and a
Palestinian police force working with the British) to arrive at the great revolt of
1936.

Anyway, Basil started by explaining that before 1948 his village sat was located
inside the Green line on the main railroad track line that headed from Jerusalem
to Lydda and Jaffa and cut through village lands. Villagers tell of bountiful
agricultural harvests before the creation of Israel and the Nakba (Palestinian
uprising) of 1948. Agricultural products from the Al-Walaja village flooded the
markets of Jerusalem and Jaffa by way of Jerusalem Jaffa Railroad, and
significantly contributed to a prosperous Palestine economy . Muslims and
Christians of in this part of the country lived peacefully with each other. It was
not uncommon for families to convert from Christianity to Islam, which was the
more recent religion. Al-Araj family of Al-Walaja is Muslim while the Al-Araj
family of the adjacent town Beit Jala is Christian. Two monasteries are located
within the village boundaries: Cremisan, which lies between Al-Walaja and Beit
Jala, and Meskari, which is between Al-Walaja and Ain Karam. Archaeological
exploration of Al-Walaja village land shows Churches include in Ain Jneinah and
Tcharcha (comes from Church) areas of the village. Just tw months ago, Israeli
authorities made the last spring and its Byzantine ruins of Al-Walaja off-limits
to the remaining residents.

Al-Walaja earned notoriety as a scene of the 1938 rebellion against the British
occupation and its strong support of Zionism. Official reports told history from
the British side. One British regiment reports on its website: On 11th October
1938, 2nd/Lieutenant R. E. Miller, with a platoon of D Company, was road-
blocked and heavily sniped at close quarters while carrying out a reconnaissance
of the Al Walaja track, near Jerusalem. The platoon extricated itself
successfully with air assistance, and not without having inflicted casualties on
the enemy. (http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/wr.php?
main=inc/bat_1_1939 )

On 29 November 1947, the UN General Assembly recommended partition of

Palestine. The Zionist forces took this proposal as a Green light to begin ethnic
cleansing, which roused a backlash that led to combat in 1948. The Al-Qastal
battle was fought between Israeli occupation forces and village defenders
headed by Abd al-Qadir al-Husseini in the Palestinian village of Al-Qastal.
During fierce fighting Abdel Alqader Al-Husseini was martyred.

Basils great grandfather Abu Khalil was a comrade of Abdulqader Al-hussaini

and fought with valor and was injured defending his land from the colonizing
Zionists and their sponsors (the British mandate). Later, I learned a Jordanian
soldier had told Basils grandfather that there was a Jordanian-Israeli
conspiracy to adjust the border relinquishing Al-Walaja and other areas (similar
to what proved to have happened to the villages of the Triangle area in the
north).

Israels planned, program of forceful transfer of Palestines indigenous

population gradually digressed into what some people described as a civil war in
and others saw as a colonial war targeting the natives population. Israel made
several attempts to take over the village and remove its inhabitants. 4 AM on
the morning of 21 October 1948, the last successful attempt began. It was
during the olive harvest season. Basils grandfather Ibrahim remembers that
time. They had spread an exceptionally bountiful harvest of olives on the roofs
of houses in preparation for sorting and selecting those pressed to make oil and
the olives for pickling (called rseis). Basil described his grandfathers reaction
that night. While dreaming of the days work ahead, I was suddenly awakened by
the sound of bombs, canon , and machine gun firing in the village. It was coming
from three directions. I heard cries and screams, ran into the village, saw
neighbors forced to leave at gunpoint, some in their sleeping attire and given no
time to gather any belongings. Basil says his grandfather told him the shelling
continued through that night and on into the day finally ending about 24 hours
later. My grandfather recalls how he put his younger siblings (15, 6, 4, 2 years
old) at the railroad station in Battir and went looking for his parents and uncles
(separated in the mayhem of the flight). Basil then tells how his grandfather
was such a solid, collected guy who inspired discipline, perseverance, or what he
calls sumoud (steadfastness).

I recalled how these parts of Basils narrative speaking about his grandfather
gave his face a glow of pride and dare I say hope (nostalgia to a disant past?).
Clearly Basil saw the actions of his grandfather as heroic. Knowing I am from
Beit Sahour, Basil told me that when reunited , the extended family sought
refuge between the olive trees in Beit Sahour for a short while then returned
after the border was drawn to inhabit the parts of their Al-Walaja lands that
came under Jordanian rule. It was in Beit Sahour, that the family found a friend
who invited them to stay in his village called Breidha (nearTaamra, east of
Bethlehem). Some men managed to sneak back into Al-Walaja and get enough
wheat and olives from the harvest to help sustain them for six months. When
food supplies ran out, the family patriarch Ibrahim decided that they could no
longer burden their friends in Breidha and should find another home but where?
By this time. The newly founded state of Israel had occupied 80% of Al-
Walajas land. Twenty percent was beyond the cease-fire line under Jordanian
rule. Israel had taken the fertile part of the village leaving only a hill good only
as grazing lands for sheep. In the early 1950s, some villagers continued to sneak
across the green line to take care of their land, to harvest their trees and make
contact with family members. This was risky. In 1949, the newly founded state
of Israel issued its first major military order to shoot on sight any Palestinian
villagers, who had now become refugees trying to return to their lands or
attempting to work those lands. According to Basil, the Jordanian government
collaborated with Israel to prevent these cross border infiltrations for fear
of Israels disproportionate attacks that were common-place (collective
punishment). In one instance, a member of the family was captured by Israeli
forces but not killed. Upon his release, the Jordanian government accused him
of collaborating with Israel and the family spent six months with lots of legal
cost to get him released.

Some of the Al-Araj family including the grandfather Ibrahim lived in a cave
and others lived in a small room in the Western edge of the village land on a
property called Wadi Hils near Al-Makhrour - Beit Jala until 1964. By the early
1960s, several families from Al-Walaja, realized there was little likelihood that
they would ever be able to return to their homes. It had become evident that
Israel had no intention of complying with International law that and called for
the right of refugees to return). Twenty percent of the area still remained in
what became known as the West Bank.Palestinian refugees who could afford it,
moved on the remaining land and began to build Al-Walaja al-Jadida, (the new
Al-Walaja). The years following the creation of Israel between (1950-1964),
were harsh. Basil tells how his father remembers family members suffering skin
diseases, parasites, hunger, the shock of the Nakba permeated life and left
emotional scars. One family member refused to allow their children to go to
school telling them that it is critical that they stay farmers to go back home to
Al-Walaja. Another refused to allow his grown children to build a house outside
the village. Basils grandfather Ibrahim decided to learned a new profession and
chose that of stone masonry. He found work in Jordan and in Lebanon and so was
able to save enough money to build a one room shack outside the cave where he
and his family had been living since they were driven out.

On June 5, 1967, the new Al-Walaja village was attacked unexpectedly from the
east rather than from the west. Some villagers speculated it was because the
Jordanian regime was in collusion with Israel according to Basil. Basil said his
great grandfather, injured in heroic defense of our motherland in 1948 cried so
hard on learning of this Naksa (setback of 1967) that he suffered a stroke that
resulted in the loss of his eye sight. Brokenhearted, he died a month later.

Israels advanced weaponry ended the war after six days and saw the occupation
by Israeli forces of what remains of Palestine. Unlike 1948, large scale ethnic
cleansing did not follow.(Palestinians had learned that if you leave during war,
you would not be allowed to return). Before the borders where sealed, Basils
said his grandfather Ibrahim had gone to Jordan and brought back his mother
who was visiting in Jordan. This latest war created 300,000 additional
Palestinians refugees in 1967, nearly a third of them refugees for the second
time.

Out of desperation, many Palestinians were forced to work for the new masters
of the land. Anger and bitter resentment led to confrontations and frequently
the proud villagers were fired within a day or two for exhibiting pride and
refusing to accept the insults of their captors. In 1982, a new right-wing Israeli
government took over the government of Israel. Headed by Menachen Begin, it
was intent on further confiscation of land and building colonial settlements
within its occupied territories while simultaneously intensifying war in bordering
regions such as in Lebanon, with the perpetuation of massacres and war crimes.
The Begin government began confiscating more land from Al-Walaja Al-Jadida.
Attempts were made to confiscate 30 dunums (about 7 acres) belong to the
Arajfamily. The family fought back, went to court, planted trees in this rather
unproductive hilly land, and tried many other actions to protect what remained
of their property. They did so successfully for many years but then Israel
started building a segregation wall that is intended to squeeze the people by
depriving them of their land and making them live in a an open air prison hoping
they will leave. Basils and Shireens and other families refused to leave. As he
paused, I ask him to tell me more about himself.

He told me: The night I was born was cold and snowy. My parents (Mahmoud and
Siham) thought it was sign that I was destined to live a harsh life. I was too
young to remember much about the first uprising except sleeping with my shoes
just in case we had to leave the house. I also remember in the early 1990s that
the possessing a Palestinian flag was a very big thing. It was illegal to own or
display it but it was a prized possession. I remember once taking a small flag
from a car, feeling guilty, yet wanting it badly, then an older kid took it from me.
At home, there was a little place for sewing clothing for our family needs but
then slowly it became used to make forbidden flags at nights.

But then Basil went back to telling me more about politics and the Oslo era. Basil
said his interest in politics started when he was 10 years old. The Oslo
agreements were then meant the PLO recognized Israel while Israel did not
recognize Palestine and instead we developed a Palestinian Authority. Basil and
his family believed these 1993/1994 agreements created a collaborating
government in the same way as Vichy government in France under the Nazis. The
period after 1994 saw developments that brought new challenges for people in
Al-Walaja and the surrounding villages. Israel was moving forward rapidly
expanding existing Jewish settlements/colonies and building-up infrastructure in
for settlers while ignoring the need to update the deteriorating Palestinian
infrastructure. Israels plan to improve infrastructure required acquiring more
lands. Much land had already been taken from Al-Walaja and Beit Jala when the
new Jewish colony of Har Gilo was built; and now Israels plan was to link it with
other Jewish colonies and with Jerusalem. It meant roads were to be built
through the remaining land of Al-Walaja. Our Al-Araj small family lost an
additional four dunums (one dunum is about a quarter of an acre). What was
worse is that the village lost access to two more of its water springs. By the late
1990s only one of the original 22 springs remained accessible and eventually even
that was inaccessible when the separation wall built prevented us from reaching
it. Villagers remained determined to resist by the only means available against
the armed occupiers, that of non-violence. Everyone became involved in a popular
resistance that included demonstrations, sit-ins, petitions, and legal methods
through Israels courts. Buttressed by the other forms of resistance, the legal
approach forced a judge to ask the government to move the road 19 meters
away from the Al-Araj house.

A military checkpoint was placed at the entrance of the village in front of Basil
and Shireens homes. A battle of wills ensued. Soldiers invaded the homes to
terrorize the families and force them to leave. Armed soldiers intimidated the
Al A with insults. They attacked children who tried to block soldiers from the
private driveway leading to one of the houses. An Israeli bulldozer rolled noisily
through the narrow street carrying dirt and dumped it at the village entrance to
block the road. Several times during the day it came back and forth to dump the
dirt and prevent access to the village. Throughout the night, villagers worked to
remove the mound, and by morning, it was gone. Angered soldiers retaliated with
attacks on families. If the soldiers felt the family comfortable, they disrupted
with any excuse. Family barbeques, children playing football, raised voices during
a heated family discussion or playing music all were reason for intimidation.
Resistance increased, and so did soldier attacks. Attacks graduated from house
invasion with insults to using tear gas, rubber coated metal bullets and in some
instances even live ammunition. As the repeated attempts to make life hell for
the people continued, the Al-Araj family became ever more determined to save
their homes and lands.

Basil recalled We became aware of Israels plan when first seeing a 2006, map
of the wall to encircle Al-Walaja. If completed as planned, the thirty foot high
wall would isolate the villagers of Al-Walaja Al-Jadida from their farmland and
deprive them of their livelihood. Building the wall required the destruction of
thirty three homes in Al-Walaja Al-Jadida. In addition, notices were given for
the demolition of eighty-eight additional homes in the village.

Basil said he went to Egypt for study between 2002 and 2007 (getting a degree
in Pharmacology). While he was away, friends and relatives continued the
struggle for their land. There were arrests of those who resisted; among them
was that of a good friend of his now serving 40 year jail sentence for resistance
(I need to get this persons name). I ask him about who he loves most in his
family besides his parents and he says all of them but as I press him he
mentions his uncle Khalid for defending people (he is a lawyer) and his aunt
Shireen [A strong women who needs an article/chapter of her own]. From
Shireen he learned the value of non-violent resistance.

The work of this family and others in Walaja paid off. The checkpoint installed
was removed in 2005. Basil was jailed 3 times and apprehended three other
times. He suffered multiple injuries including twice having his ribs broken. The
short sighted Basil recalled with bitterness the cruelty of soldiers who
intentionally broke his prescription glasses.

After he lost his job as a pharmacist (related to his activism), he was briefly
hired as a researcher for the Palestinian Museum. That was the last time he
ever called me and he became a wanted man (by the Palestinian security and
Israeli security). I felt really bad that we did not connect and I cried more for
my friend Basil than I did for my cousin (a beautiful mother of two who died the
same day). I do not believe the story about Basil carrying arms. I was arrested
with Basil Al-Araj several times between 2010 2014 in non-violent actions. He
was an intellectual and a writer and he read my book promoting non-violent
resistance and his questions to me about the book have not even hinted at a
transition or transformation to belief in armed resistance. If I am wrong on my
understanding, an evolution to armed resistance would be understandable; as
John F. Kennedy said: Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make
violent revolution inevitable

When he was detained with other colleagues by the Palestinian security forces
in April 2016, I was shocked and I wrote an email to my list:

Basil Al-Araj is in a Palestinian jail. He is a young Palestinian pharmacist who

had worked at a pharmacy in Shufat Refugee Camp in Jerusalem. I knew him
because he is from Al-Walaja, a village that was struggling as Israel builds a
wall around the remaining houses of the village (already 90% of the residents
are refugees elsewhere). Village wells and lands were stolen by the Israeli
colonizers starting in 1948 and continuing till today. Basil had a love of Palestine
and a hatred of injustice. Like most young people they searched for ways to act
on their convictions. He participated in nonviolent demonstrations at his village
but was not satisfied with their outcome. He read my book on Popular
Resistance in Palestine in Arabic and gave me his feedback. He said he learned
much about history of the Palestinian struggle. He said the books Arabic could
use some editing. He tried other methods of action. He and a few others tried
to block the main road near the colony of Maale Adumim. He and I and four
others were the six Palestinian Freedom riders arrested in 2011 while
demonstrating Israeli apartheid policies [http://mondoweiss.net/2011/11/follow-
the-freedom-rides/ ]. These demonstrative actions were born of good intentions
to help bring us closer to freedom. I always lamented even as I participated in
such actions how the Palestinian leadership betrayed its people leaving young and
old n a sense orphaned of leadership. I worried not that the Palestinian cause
will die (I am by nature optimistic) but that the selfishness, ego, and
incompetence of self-declared leaders can only delay the inevitable freedom and
dispirit a population otherwise willing and able to liberate itself. Now Basil and
two friends of his have been arrested by the Palestinian Authority.
Basil and the author in the lead-up to the freedom riders and Basil's will

Yes, Basil was against Oslo and the whole PA structure. Basil told me that in
certain countries, like the US, new immigrants build centers to preserve their
culture. Chinatowns in New York and in California and other western cities. He
adds In our new Al-Walaja we did that and much more. The new Al-Walaja
represented a threat to Jewish colonial settlements and West Jerusalem
(because of its geographic location) but we had so many problemsthe displaced
and the refugees, taking our water rights, the wall built on our land, home
demolitions, apartheid, residency rights. .Resistance is normal reaction [to this]
.. Palestine is a microcosm of the world, its history that of mankind. What
happens here is an indicator of things to come around the world. These
prophetic words rang in my ears when I heard of Basils martyrdom.

As I said in the beginning, others have written of Basils extrajudicial execution

(and if you are curious, here is one story and you can google for
others: http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=775829 . I preferred to tell
you of what he told me of his life and that of his family. They say that this is his
last will (and indeed the original in Arabic looked like his hand writing. Its rough
translation is:

Greetings of Arab nationalism, homeland, and liberation. If you are reading this,
it means I have died and my soul has ascended to its creator. I pray to God that
I will meet him with a guiltless heart, willingly, and never reluctantly, and free of
any whit of hypocrisy. How hard it is to write your own will. For years I have
been contemplating testaments written by martyrs, and those wills have always
bewildered me. They were short, quick, without much eloquence. They did not
quench our thirst to find answers about martyrdom. Now I am walking to my
fated death satisfied that I found my answers. How stupid I was! Is there
anything which is more eloquent and clearer than a martyr's deed? I should have
written this several months ago, but what kept me was that this question is for
you, living people, and why should I answer on your behalf? Look for the answers
yourself, and for us the inhabitants of the graves, all we seek is God's mercy.

Al-Walaja story
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcodiFkotgk
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBeztx5Lcv8
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mramhyCQlI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sXbWvAnm2w

Videos of Al-Walaja struggle with many showing Basil and Shireen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er1vAJObtzM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaF33HVqDpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET--OhJTdC4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOfSeEjbJ8Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEFwlD4ToF8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfglnJeNUUk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9rdBX0pvv0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGQYz9vz8V8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bknk8DEjO0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaF33HVqDpg (Israelis in Al-Walaja)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrbMP9hRNeo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K_-gpgTy_8

Palestinian activist 'executed' by Israeli forces after 2-hour shoot-out

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=775810

Slain activist Basel al-Araj 'a representation of the soul of Palestinian youth'
http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=775841

more
https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/maureen-clare-murphy/prominent-
palestinian-activist-killed-israeli-raid
Posted by Qumsiyeh at 3/08/2017
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5 comments:

1.
Ibrahim SoudyMarch 8, 2017 at 3:40 PM
Salam,

As a Muslim, I have to say that I and the rest of the Muslim World have let you,
my brothers and sisters in Palestine regardless of your religion down. Many of us
are busy fighting and killing each other. Many are even helping the real enemies
steal the resources of your land. Many are also busy entertaining themselves by
stupid things like trivial movies and dancing and what have you. I take full
responsibility in my part in letting you down. I would like to suggest to you to
please listen to what Dr. Bassam AlJarrar says. I watch his videos on You Tube
and I feel that you will inspire the rest of us by your unshakable faith and
dignity. My very sincere condolences and may Allah Accept all your deeds and
reward you in abundance...Dr. Ibrahim Soudy
Reply

2.
Lorne BrandtMarch 8, 2017 at 3:41 PM
So sorry to hear of these continued assaults on your [people. Praying for your
safety in all of this. As God wills. I remember the afternoon spent with you when
my wife and I were with Sabeel last year. I have been saving all your letters.
Reply

3.
Rebecca GMarch 8, 2017 at 6:02 PM
Dear Mazin, My heart goes out to you and to Basil's family. Words are not
sufficient to express sorrow or to provide comfort on the tragic loss of his life.
Faced with oppression and evil, Basil continued to live an exemplary life. Israel
took his life but they can not take his spirit or his dignity. May his memory live
on in the hearts of his friends and fellow activists and in those around the world
who stand in solidarity with Palestine. Peace.
Reply

4.
sureshkhairnarMarch 9, 2017 at 12:23 AM
DEAR MAZIN
SO SORRY TO READ THESE BASIL`S TRAGIC LOSS MAY HIS MEMORY
LIVE FOR ALL PALESTINIAN
Reply

5.
Andy WistreichMarch 9, 2017 at 3:36 AM
Dear Mazin
Thanks for sharing this account of the life of your friend Basil. He was clearly a
strong and wonderful young man. I rejoice in his actions of non-violent
resistance and determination to bring about justice and equality. I can imagine
how upset you must feel when someone you know so well is killed like this. My
heart is always with you and other dear friends in Palestine who have overcome
hatred and violence, but do not abandon the struggle for a respectful
coexistence.
Love and best wishes
Andy
Reply