October 14, 2006

In the early 80's I was living in a small town in Northern Ontario. There was a university there which was attended by many foreign students. One of them was a young man from Palestine. Ahmed often came to my home to visit and we became very good friends. I remember on one occasion he related to me a childhood experience that left me feeling sick... I doubted him at first thinking that the story was exaggerated, or even fabricated, but never the less, it remained with me. He told me of walking home from school in his home town of Nablus, he and a friend. He then told me that 'out of the blue' Israeli soldiers appeared on the street and shot his little friend dead.
I did not want to believe that any civilised country would allow its soldiers to act in this manner.... I thought his 'tale' was just another from the anti Israeli propaganda machine.
After living here some twenty two years I can honestly say that there is no such machine... Israel itself produces enough reasons in one day to prove that my friend spoke the truth to me.
To add insult to injury, I, the son of Eastern European immigrants, born in the United States, being removed from Israel by some 2000 years was allowed entry to Israel... entry to remain here permanently. Ahmed, who was born here was not permitted to return. He must spend his life in exile, in Canada. Is he guilty of a crime? Most definitely so!!! He is a Palestinian... an unwanted person in his own land.
Just one more reason why Palestinians must have a RIGHT OF RETURN.... they deserve it and will one day get it.
Israel, on the other hand, continues to keep the 'story' Ahmed told me alive by continuing to kill innocent children. The only difference today is that I no longer doubt the truth about it all... it's here for everyone to see.
Sorry Ahmed for ever doubting you....

Here are just a few headlines from this mornings Israeli press... all out on the open.

Gaza: Child killed in IDF strike
Woman killed by IDF in Gaza
5 family members killed in Gaza raid
Jewish settlers attack a group of Palestinian farmers
Number of Palestinian children killed in 2006 already double 2005, UN reports
Two teenage boys seized by Israeli troops in Qalqiliya