-----Original Message----- From: International Justice Watch Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Dr Peter Hall Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2001 10:07 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Best wishes from Gaza, By Dr. Mona El Farra I do not know Dr. Mona El Farra but his anguished message comes via Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, which I do know. The GCMHP has worked closely with the world famous (UK) Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, and the two organisations hold each other in high mutual regard. Peter Hall ================= Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 13:28:11 +0200 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 -- Please visit our site: Gaza Community Mental Health Programme http://www.gcmhp.net ============================================== SPY NEWS is OSINT newsletter and discussion list associated to Mario's Cyberspace Station http://mprofaca.cro.net/mainmenu.html ============================================== *** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to SPYNEWS eGroup members who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ---------------------------------------------- To subscribe SPYNEWS send a blank message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To change your subscription mode to Daily Digest (one message a day) send a blank message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe SPYNEWS send a blank message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Mario Profaca, SPY NEWS eGroup list owner, editor & moderator mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] SPY NEWS home page: http://www.egroups.com/group/spynews Spy books, handbooks and manuals: http://mprofaca.cro.net/manuals.html =============================================
