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Thanks, my enemy. I love Palestine

palestine flag face featured
Palestine flag-face, artist unknown occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com

Every time I happen to think of Palestine, pretty fast beats my heart. It takes me back in memory to my grandpa’s orange field, my grandma’s embroideries, and my pa’s textile doll. All I have – all new Palestinian generations have – is what our ancestors tell about Palestine. I behold every grain of sand Palestine has in their eyes; I smell the smell of the old land in their palms. I have my own Palestine; they have theirs!

I have read the history of the Canaanites, the Persians, the Babylonians, the Wanderers, Alexander’s the Great –with his ups and downs-, the French, the English, the World War I, the World War II , the Ottomans, and the Arabs, but I never found Palestine. You murdered Palestine; you eliminated us. Even your books cannot recognise us!

We have never been invaders. We are landowners. But you cannot admit it; the first time you do, you condemn yourselves. You expose yourselves. Our lands have always been occupied; our blood has always been shed. You always tear our soft bodies apart. You smash our bones. You burn our flesh. For GOD’s sake, WE ARE HUMANS! Just let go. Leave us. Do not kill us. Do not destroy us. It is you… YES! You! You always start it all. Do you not live without killing? Can you not ignore me? Just ignore me. Think I am invisible. I want peace: for me, for you, for every living thing. Please, help me live in peace.

You call me names? You call me ‘terrorist’?!! You step on me; you fuck me; you steal my land; you abduct my child; you rape my wife; you lock up my brother; you kill my father, and you call me a ‘terrorist’?? Is it because every time you strip me naked I scream?? Is it because every time you smash my bones I cry?? Is it because I shed tears for my younger brothers every time they hear your bombs?? Am I a ‘terrorist’??

It is my pleasure then, call me a ‘terrorist’!

I cannot prosecute you. You are the judge and the victimizer. You are the legislator and the killer. I cannot prosecute you. Simply! But you know what I can do? I can tell my children about you. I can teach them how to love Palestine. I can make Palestine their father, mother, brother, everything–I can make Palestine everything for them. I can make it their only motive to live. And you know what?? I can teach them how to live and die with honor!

Yes, son… live for Palestine and die for Palestine.

I will teach my son how to co-exist, how to respect, how to– I will never make him a monster. A monster just like you! My son is human. Is yours? Do you stuff your son’s mind and soul with hatred, grudge, and evilness? Do you pass your rotten hate to him and make him thirst for our death? Is he prostituting for killing? But you know what… thanks, my enemy. You taught me how to love Palestine. Thanks, Israelis. You taught me how to love Palestine!

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Is the word “enemy” your word?

How will you teach your family to co-exist with Israelis, with Jews, if you name us as “enemy”?

Beautiful post. Thank you.
Here is a great video in which a Palestinian family tells their fate after being expelled from their land in 1948.
The love which they have for their land will never cease.
http://www.gilad.co.uk/writings/lauren-boothpress-tv-plight-of-palestinian-families-in-exile.html#entry14358029

You always tear our soft bodies apart. You smash our bones. You burn our flesh. For GOD’s sake, WE ARE HUMANS! Just let go. Leave us. Do not kill us. Do not destroy us. It is you… YES! You! You always start it all. Do you not live without killing? Can you not ignore me? Just ignore me. Think I am invisible. I want peace: for me, for you, for every living thing. Please, help me live in peace.

i just want to say..for those of you who have not been paying attention over the last week or so..we’ve had stunning contributions from a number of gazan writers relating to the anniversary of the massacre under the theme ‘i am the terrorist’.

we didn’t plan this, i don’t know if they planned it but i have a hunch it is not a coincidence.

it really means a lot to me to be able to hear your voices, if you guys are listening out there. whoever put this together ..if it was ‘put together’ ..this expression is so real, raw and exquisite and big thank you.

especially i’d like to thank phil and adam for publishing work many might undoubtedly consider controversial.

and finally, waleed..you’re one heck of a talented writer. thanks for your honesty, and passionate emotion.

Richard Witty says:
December 30, 2011 at 12:37 pm

Is the word “enemy” your word?

How will you teach your family to co-exist with Israelis, with Jews, if you name us as “enemy”?

Could you please me what you call me… what you call all Palestinians ??

Witty, I never mentioned “JEWS” or even gave hints related to them. Read history !!! We, Palestinians, and the Jews of Samaria– whom you hate and degrade– lived in peace here in Palestine.

Also, read literature. Mainly “The Merchant of Venice,” by Shakespeare. I think that Shakespeare speaks my mind at some points.

uhhh, yes man. Have you noticed these few words “I want peace: for me, for you, for every living thing. Please, help me live in peace.” ????? I doubt !!!!

Jesus said to love the enemy and forgive them. He did not say there is no such thing as people who hate us.

Likewise, the Palestinian author does not have to pretend a friendship that does not exist. He is saying he recognizes the racial-construct hatred against him and trying to avoid being sucked into it himself. May he succeed in the spiritual fight against hatred.