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| Crowds gather around a destroyed home in the Gaza Strip. Photo credit: telegraph.co.uk |
Although trusted and respected news sources do not explicitly say it, I think it should be made clear that the nearly 1,900 plus Palestinians, including at least 296 Palestinian children and adolescents, have been killed due to Israel’s military operation.
"Children make up for 30 percent of the civilian casualties," said the UN children's agency UNICEF to the Telegraph.
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| At least 296 Palestinian children and adolescents have been killed due to Israel’s military operation. Photo Credit: nbcnews.com |
With such a lopsided death toll, you would think that the story of the Palestinians would be covered by the mainstream press to some capacity. Furthermore, considering such a lopsided death toll, one would think “why don’t the Palestinians just surrender? Clearly they are losing.”
I for one had these thoughts. Since I could not immediately think of any international defense or political leaders in my network to interview, I walked down the street to the Palestinian owned convenience store that has been in my neighborhood of Canarsie, Brooklyn since I was born. I’m an ‘80s baby.
I had so many questions that ranged from the historical significance of this ongoing conflict to the political and religious reasons to the social effects of this event. However, I decided to focus on some basic questions. This is an interview between the son of the convenience store owner and myself—Shari ‘MzCEO’ Logan.
Due to the fact that this son has a family of his own and works for a very established Arab organization, he asked that his name be withheld and I only use his initials AZ. Plus, they did not want me to take a picture.
Although, this request annoyed me greatly, I obliged. Why? Well, on those hot summer days when I’m looking for a cold drink, I need a store in my neighborhood where I can enter comfortably.
Here is what AZ, who was born in Brooklyn to a Palestinian father from Ramallah,West Bank had to say:
MzCEO: When you see pictures of the destruction in Palestine and hear reports that mainly Palestinian civilians have been killed due to the Israeli military operation, how does that make you feel?
AZ: The Gaza strip is one of the most densely populated places on Earth. How do you attack a terrorist when you’re dropping bombs on families, homes and apartment buildings? It’s not fair. The Palestinians [have] no Army, no navy, and no air force. There is no real war. You don’t have to be a Palestinian, just [be] a human being to see it’s not fair.
MzCEO: US Secretary of State John Kerry said Israel’s military operation is “appropriate and legitimate.” Plus, the US is sending $47 million in aid. Is it helping or hindering?
AZ: I think its hindering. The problem is you have AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee] which is the largest lobbying group in America. I mean if you go against Israel, you go against democracy in the Middle East, [but] you’re just supplying more bombs to kill more children. How is that justifying anything?
On the news they tell you to donate to Israel. I mean Israel gets $3 Billion a year, not including military arsenal, I believe, from America. It’s mind boggling when Americans say Israel has a right to defend themselves.
Well if someone comes to your house, puts a gun to your head, tells you to get out. This is mine now. How are you gonna feel? Put yourself in the shoes of a Palestinian.
It’s not that Palestinians hate Jews, that’s not the answer. It’s the Zionists that are the problem. My dad and my grandfather used to have a Jewish Blacksmith that slept at their house. There is no issue between Muslim and Jew.
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| Photo credit: consortiumnews.com |
MzCEO: Even the Arab League Chief [Nabil al-Arabi ] has said that Palestine should submit to the Egyptian peace proposal? Do you agree?
AZ: Yes we need to come to an agreement with peace. The only problem is that no matter what you do with Israelis, it’s never good enough.
MzCEO: If you were Mr. Kerry or you could be in the room when these [peace] talks are going on, what you advise Hamas and Israel to do?
AZ: Let us breathe. Remove the borders. Imagine someone telling you, you can’t leave your house, you can’t go anywhere, you need to show paperwork if you’re going to the doctor and controlling everything that you do. After a while, it’s this build up of anger and frustration.
I know Israel was pissed with the Palestinians, when Fatah and Hamas came to form a unified government. I think that’s when everything started. I think that’s the underlying reason. It’s not because of the murders of the three Israeli teens. Because if Hamas did it, they would have admitted it.
MzCEO: Do you feel that Palestine needs a strong leader?
AZ: Absolutely. Right now Obama needs to be stronger. He’s not running a third term. He needs to put his foot down and say listen Israel you can’t keep doing what you are doing. We’ll stop funding you.
MzCEO: Is there anyone right now in the leadership of Palestine that is up to really brokering a peace deal?
AZ: Hanan Ashrawi, she would be great... She knows what she is talking about. It just goes back to having a strong leader. Israel controls the money that comes into Palestine, the water that flows, and the electricity. Its frustrating.
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| Hanan Ashrawi. Photo Credit: consortiumtimes.com |
MzCEO: Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon said Israel has a right to defend itself but the grievances of the Palestinians must be addressed, what do you feel are some of those grievances?
AZ: Not being able to travel, to go to a hospital, not being able to get medical treatment, it’s an open air prison, you push people down so much what do you expect them to do? Look at African-Americans here in the 1950s and 1960s, that couldn't go to a white bathroom. You fight back not because you like war but you want to be happy. It’s the same thing [Nelson] Mandela said, ‘the struggle isn't over until the Palestinians are free.’
MzCEO: If you can say anything to the Israelis here in Brooklyn or overseas, what would it be?
AZ: Just think of [Palestinians] as your own children. Just be human. Put Islam, Judaism, and Christianity away. They’re also oppressing Palestinian Christian. There is a large Christian community. It’s not an Islam thing. They want to exterminate, kick out the Palestinians.
When I see kids dying, it hurts. I think of my own kids. I get teary eyed. Jewish kids as well. No one wants to see anyone hurt. We just all want to live in peace. Who wants to live in a war zone or live with missiles and rockets? It just goes back to being human. That’s all it is.
Since this interview, a New York Times article published on August 5, 2014 reported that “As a 72-hour cease-fire mediated by Egypt took hold Tuesday morning, Israel announced that it had withdrawn its forces from Gaza and Hamas said it would engage in talks on a lasting arrangement to keep the peace.”
I pray that this time “Peace in the Middle East” will begin and last forever.
