A call for help, part 2
Hello everyone,
A few weeks ago, Corey started a discussion titled "a call for help". This is what he wrote there:
A week ago, two Palestinian youths were brutally attacked by a gang of Jewish youths. You can read the details in English at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/988477.html. I don’t know how much press this is getting and I realize that far worse things happen on both sides.
It seems to me that these things happen in different forms, perpetrated against and by each side and to varying degrees. And most of us sit back and think how sad and wish we could do something to help. And then we forget or put it out of our minds but the people involved, both victims and perpetrators don’t forget. And each society carries with them the scars- feeling powerless if victimized or destroying ones own morality if the victimizer. And each occurrence adds another layer of hatred and frustration onto the already complex mess that we find ourselves in. Victims turn into perpetrators, perpetrators into victims and everyone blames each other.
This web site is based on grass-roots, people to people communication in search of better, more peaceful ways of dealing with each other. Although I am not even in the region at the moment, I feel that we have to stop sitting back and watching and take part in the solution even if only this small example. The cycle of violence has to stop and we have to be a part of at least trying to end this.
I would like to organize a group of Palestinians and Israelis, Jews and Arabs to meet with both the Palestinian youths who were beaten and (if possible) some of the Israeli youth that took part in the beatings. Is there anyone in the Jerusalem area who is willing to be a part of this?
Well, the answer to Corey's call was "yes". This coming Saturday, a group of us are going to visit the kids that were beaten and their families. We decided it is best to keep it a small group, and in any case, we would like all of you to be there with us in spirit. This is how you can do it:
Write a letter to the kids and/or their families. You can write it in English or Arabic, whatever is better for you. It would be best if you could write it as a Word document and add it as an attachment to a response to this discussion. We will print out the letters and bring them with us. Write whatever you want- but please write your name and where you are from.
Thanks
A few weeks ago, Corey started a discussion titled "a call for help". This is what he wrote there:
A week ago, two Palestinian youths were brutally attacked by a gang of Jewish youths. You can read the details in English at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/988477.html. I don’t know how much press this is getting and I realize that far worse things happen on both sides.
It seems to me that these things happen in different forms, perpetrated against and by each side and to varying degrees. And most of us sit back and think how sad and wish we could do something to help. And then we forget or put it out of our minds but the people involved, both victims and perpetrators don’t forget. And each society carries with them the scars- feeling powerless if victimized or destroying ones own morality if the victimizer. And each occurrence adds another layer of hatred and frustration onto the already complex mess that we find ourselves in. Victims turn into perpetrators, perpetrators into victims and everyone blames each other.
This web site is based on grass-roots, people to people communication in search of better, more peaceful ways of dealing with each other. Although I am not even in the region at the moment, I feel that we have to stop sitting back and watching and take part in the solution even if only this small example. The cycle of violence has to stop and we have to be a part of at least trying to end this.
I would like to organize a group of Palestinians and Israelis, Jews and Arabs to meet with both the Palestinian youths who were beaten and (if possible) some of the Israeli youth that took part in the beatings. Is there anyone in the Jerusalem area who is willing to be a part of this?
Well, the answer to Corey's call was "yes". This coming Saturday, a group of us are going to visit the kids that were beaten and their families. We decided it is best to keep it a small group, and in any case, we would like all of you to be there with us in spirit. This is how you can do it:
Write a letter to the kids and/or their families. You can write it in English or Arabic, whatever is better for you. It would be best if you could write it as a Word document and add it as an attachment to a response to this discussion. We will print out the letters and bring them with us. Write whatever you want- but please write your name and where you are from.
Thanks
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Yigal D. Kahana on -
A fine idea, Corey and Noa.
To the Israeli youths:
Hi guys,
I hope you don't take this the wrong way. I know Israel. I know the Ir HaAtikah. I sympathize with those involved in the struggle to defend Jewish rights in Israel and especially in Yerushalayim.
But if you were not defending yourselves from an imminent attack, this was a big chillul hashem.
For which you should apologize sincerely.
It is not a Jewish or a human right to attack people who are not attacking you first.
Your actions have undermined the very principles of human rights by virtue of which we can justly demand our rights from the Waqf and the PA and the whole world. At the end of the day, our rights and their rights flow from the same source.
Please consider either refraining from individually-inspired violence in the future, or even better, getting to know some Israeli Arabs/Palestinians personally. Start with the easy ones, who are themselves eager to get to know you. I know they exist. If you use your energies to find them and befriend them, it will be far far more productive for us all.
B'rtzinut,
Yigal Kahana
To the Palestinian youths:
Hi guys,
Please take this opportunity to be magnanimous. Forgive those who seek forgiveness. You should know that I, and most Jews and Israelis, do not condone such behavior. Please do not take this incident as a reason for becoming embittered. Instead, please take this letter and those who bring it as an invitation to make something good out of something bad, and as an excuse for building strong friendships between yourselves and the people whom you may meet as a result of this process.
Just as God is compassionate, strive to be compassionate yourselves. I know it may be difficult, but we will all be the better for it in the long run. I wish you all the best, and if there is anything I can do to help you succeed in the future (school, English...), please do not hesitate to contact me at yigaldankahana@yahoo.com.
B'rtzinut,
Yigal Kahana
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Permalink Reply by Hiba on -
Dear Palestinian\ Israeli friends and brothers,
It is really sad for me to hear stories about violence acts between us Palestinians and Israelis. Both of us are humans who have the right of a peaceful life on this land, as both of us shall learn more acceptance and learn how to be real neighbours.
My great wish is to see this land living with peace, as it is one of my dreams to see ways of cooperation and effective communications betwee both sides rather than hate and violence.
We shall hold hope inside our hearts and let peace lead us to the shore of safety and happiness.
Hoping that the coming years will carry for us conditions where we can practice a better life by share and love.
May Peace Be Upon All Of Us.
Your Friend and Sister,
Hiba
Hebron
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Permalink Reply by Eyal Raviv إيال راڤيڤ אייל רביב on -
Kudos on the initiative. WIll you share details of your visit? I would like to join.
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Permalink Reply by Max S on -
This is a brilliant idea and this is what mepeace is all about. I shall add my letters shortly.
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Permalink Reply by Max S on
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Hi there. Once again great work guys. A really good idea.
Tell me when you are going to meet the Israeli youths and I will post my other letter then. This is important so I don't want to rush it. You are meeting the Palestinian kids in two days time so here is my letter to them:
Dear friends,
Hi there my name is Max and I come from Wales which is a small country in Europe. I am student and I am neither Jewish nor Muslim but I am a friend of both. I have been informed by a good friend of mine about what happened to you. They told me about the attack because they knew that despite the many miles that separated you and me and however different my country is to yours, I would be concerned about what happened to you. I want you to know how sorry I am for what happen. I imagine that you do not know a great deal about Wales so for the purpose of this letter I shall take on the role of the Ambassador for my country and express sympathy for you on behalf of my fellow country men who I know would share the same feelings as me.
Here in Wales there are both Jews and Arabs who live side by side in peace. So don’t let what happened to you make you believe that people who are different cannot live together. You are no doubt angry but don’t let that lead you to distrust all Jewish people because the person who told me of what happen to you and who has brought you this letter is herself a Jew.
I am writing this small letter because I cannot be with my friends in person. If I could do so I would be there. I wish you all the luck in the world and I want you to know that we here in Wales want nothing more than there to peace in the Holy Land.
With sympathy and hope
Max Shallcross
I have attached the word document as you asked. - Attachments:
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Dear friends.doc, 25 KB
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Permalink Reply by Noa D on -
Thanks for the responses so far. I am sorry, I didn't mention that on Saturday we are meeting with the Palestinian kids. A meeting with the Jewish kids has yet to be organized, if they will be willing. So for now a letter to the former is what we are requesting. Thanks again, and sorry if this caused any mix-up or inconvenience.
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Permalink Reply by Yigal D. Kahana on
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Hi again Noa,
This time I am following your instructions.
I've added the personal info as per your request, which should be in the attached file.
Thanks again,
Yigal
** I wanted to call and say hello over the phone; but if the meeting will be on Saturday, I guess I won't be able to. C'est la vie.... ** - Attachments:
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Noaletter.doc, 23 KB
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Permalink Reply by Noa D on
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Thanks Yigal.
About the meeting time... it will still be Shabbat by your time when we are there...
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Permalink Reply by amani on -
my letter is attached.
- Attachments:
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رسالة دعم.doc, 21 KB
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Permalink Reply by Abed khalil on -
excellent intiative
- Attachments:
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الاخوة عائلة ابو كمال.doc, 20 KB
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