Drawing of Vittorio Arrigoni by his friend Shahd Abu Salama
Vittorio, your memory will live on forever
I, as every Palestinian is, am in shock at the human capacity for atrocity. Until this moment, I still can’t believe that Vik was murdered here, in Gaza, in the land he loved the most, the land he heartily embraced.
I didn’t know Vik very well, but now we all do in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. Since I’m friends with most of the International Solidarity Movement activists, I used to see Vik around. However, every time, I would be taken aback by his humbleness and sense of humor.
Everyone who knew Vik said he was nothing but a compassionate human rights defender, an individual who left everything behind—his first homeland Italy (I say “first” because Palestine was his second country), his family, his friends, his luxurious life and came to Gaza to support, help and give the people of Gaza. He came to Gaza because he was of a clear conscience and a pure soul. He refused to stand still and watch like so many others did. He could have helped from afar, but he insisted to come, to see firsthand all the crimes Israel was committing against the civilian population of Gaza. He tirelessly documented Israeli violations against human rights in Palestine, including the Gaza war. He accompanied every fisherman, risking his own life so many times; he wiped away the tears on the faces of every child; he always was there for the poor.
Vik passed and left his memories indelibly inscribed in our hearts. He taught us how to love, care, defend and sacrifice for the sake of others. He set the whole world an inspiring example of real heroism.
On Vik’s birthday, I didn’t go to his party, but some of our mutual trusted friends bought a cake and went to his apartment to celebrate it. Guess what they found him doing on his own birthday? My friends told me he was crying because his father’s health condition was critical. Isn’t that rare? Who of us would do a similar thing nowadays? I assume very few. When he was supposed to be there for his father taking care of him, though painful to him, he bore this burden to the land of pain, Gaza, where he chose to belong.
One’s death is compensated for by the legacy he or she leaves. It is the comfort which spurs other followers to hold the torch again and continue on the path towards freedom and justice. Vik left behind a treasure of human principles and values for everyone who wants to be a human. “Stay Human,” the title of his book, alone would fill the world peace and justice.
Yes we are sorry, and we know we are not going to see him again, but his heroic deeds and honorable achievements will never die. His eternal memories will remain a source of inspiration to all of us. And if they managed to eliminate his body, they will never be able to kill his ubiquitous soul, and many others will take the same route.
Vik, you did a great job…much reverence to your soul…
