Jerry Haber tells the (so far) tragic story of Ahmed Al Maghari, a 16-year-old Palestinian living in Gaza, who has studied English and won a fellowship from Amideast to study here (under this exchange program), then had his visa revoked by the U.S. because Israeli intelligence judged him to be a security risk. Al Maghari wrote to Haber:
I succeed in this
program believing in my self and believing a better education and a
better place to live in, but unfortunately, they destroyed my only hope
for a better future, however I still insist to travel in any way. In
addition, this problem effected me in a very negative way, I felt that
I disappointed all my friends and my family's hopes. Moreover, a lot of
hard decisions that I took based on studying in America simply
destroyed.
program believing in my self and believing a better education and a
better place to live in, but unfortunately, they destroyed my only hope
for a better future, however I still insist to travel in any way. In
addition, this problem effected me in a very negative way, I felt that
I disappointed all my friends and my family's hopes. Moreover, a lot of
hard decisions that I took based on studying in America simply
destroyed.
Writes Haber:
That somebody like Ahmed could grow up in a place like
Gaza seems incomprehensible to many Israelis. That Gaza could be home
to doctors, lawyers, and university professors, seems as
incomprehensible. Such is the power of prejudice and stereotypes.
Gaza seems incomprehensible to many Israelis. That Gaza could be home
to doctors, lawyers, and university professors, seems as
incomprehensible. Such is the power of prejudice and stereotypes.
Haber is mounting an international campaign on Maghari's behalf. Godspeed.
