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From: The Infamous Vinnie Gangbox <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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Sent: Monday, January 22, 2001 8:17 PM
Subject: [cpusa] Fwd: EyeWitness Gaza
----- Original Message -----
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 15:09:32 -0500 (EST)
Message-Id: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Louis R Godena)
Subject: EyeWitness Gaza
EYEWITNESS GAZA
The following from an Israeli who recently visited Gaza:
18 January
"A year or so ago, I visited the Mouwasi area in Gaza. It was a green
paradise,
on top, and in the midst, of white sand dunes. I particularly remember
this
Guava
grove, where the guavas hanging from the trees were the
size of large oranges; I hadn't seen anything like that ever before. Next
to
the guava grove, on land where many other guava trees had grown previously
but
were uprooted, settlers had put empty hothouses as an act of claiming the
land.
The day before yesterday, (probably) the (same) settlers went on a
rampage,
burning, demolishing, uprooting anything in their sight with the army
standing
by and doing nothing to stop them. Yesterday the
army bulldozed and leveled the whole area. Tomorrow?"
And the following from Dr. Mona al-Farra in Gaza:
17 January
"Best wishes from Gaza,
I woke up this morning to hear the shocking news of my mother's house
demolition.
The Israeli Bulldozers demolished the water well adjacent to the house, as
well
as tens of houses in the area. They also uprooted
vast areas of bountiful agricultural land, that includes orange, olive and
guava
groves. Many families in the area are homeless, with the Red Cross just
recently
supplying them with tents.
I cannot explain to you how bad I feel; all my childhood memories, our
family's
proud moments of when water was pumped from that well for the first time
are
damaged also by this act. I still remember my late father's rare photos,
the
minute I drank that water out of his hands. I still remember the joy of
the
relatives, friends and neighbors coming to celebrate this moment with us.
The olive, orange and Guafa trees, and many other trees do not carry
symbolic
value only, but also they have great economic value. They are the
lifelines for
many families in the area. To these people, agriculture is their only
income.
The Israelis aim to decimate our already annihilated economy, to uproot
us,
to destroy our culture and to deny our very existence on this land for
thousands
of years.
It is of worth to tell you that the Israeli army did not give any warning
to
us, or to the rest of the families, prior to the house demolitions. The
houses
were demolished with furniture inside. As you know my mother lives in
that
house,
but recently I invited her to live temporally with me to be able to take
care
of her during this
difficult time.
My mother feels so bad about what happened. Our thoughts are with our
neighbors
who are very poor and have no alternative homes. Beside all what I
mentioned,
these demolitions are huge blow to the environment. Some of the trees,
especially
what we call "Jummaiz" trees, are very rare species.
What is happening is a major violation of human rights, economy
environment and
peace. I feel angry, helpless, devastated and abandoned. The sad fact is
that
despite all these crimes against humanity, most Israelis do not care.
They know that they will, once again go unpunished by the international
community.
The support for the Palestinians is extremely fragile. The world is always
willing
to blame the victim, the Palestinians. However, I
will not lose faith. During these difficult moments, I remember a very
touching
poem, written by the most gifted Palestinian poet, Mahmoud Darwish,
I came back from the dead,
To live
I represent an uncompromising wound,
The brutality of my executor has taught me,
To bite the bullet,
And carry on,
And sing,
I will sing,
I will resist,
I will resist.
I can assure you, that one day, we will replant these trees, rebuild our
houses
and water will flow again, even stronger than before, hopefully washing
away
the horrific memories of decades long Israeli aggression.
We may be weak, but justice is on our side and one-day it will prevail."
All my love,
Dr. Mona El - Farra
Union of Health Work Committees - Gaza
MiD-EasT RealitieS - www.MiddleEast.Org
Phone: 202 362-5266 Fax: 815 366-0800
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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