NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4417354.stm

I thought maybe we should have a thread about this nice story from Palestine.

Ahmed, a little boy, was shot by Israeli soldiers a few days ago. He carried a toy gun, and they thought it was real.

However, apparently he was shot in the head but survived, and when the Israelis got wind of what happened, they quickly transferred him from Jenin to another hospital in Israel, but their efforts were fruitless and he died.

Now his parents, who have all right to be angry and upset with the Israelis, have decided to donate his organs for transplantation in that hospital, no matter whether the recipient is Palestinian or Israeli.

This, a story about forgiveness and peace (sounds corny these days, doesn't it) should get at least as much attention as all the bad things that happen all the time, and so I make this thread.

And comments, or other good stories from Israel and Palestine worth noting?

This is a nice story. I watched it on the news last night and thought it was a piece of good news among so much bad news that we get from that region. Problem is, it is very rare that nice stories from the middle east get reported. All we hear are tales of suicide bombers and attacks on American soldiers. Sadly, this has continued to create a warped view of the people of the middle east in the west.

I'm sorry, but that's heart breaking, even if its one of forgiveness and understanding. :(

Well, I think it's a sad story. The boy was shot dead for having a toy gun...

Well, I think it's a sad story. The boy was shot dead for having a toy gun...

Thats a fair point. But the fact that despite that, his parents donated his organs to the "enemy's" dying is quite inspiring to me...

I'm I the only one who finds a story of a child shot dead by soldiers horrifying, no matter where his organs go??
It seems wrong that this is what passes for a nice story in the middle east just now ....

I'm I the only one who finds a story of a child shot dead by soldiers horrifying, no matter where his organs go??
It seems wrong that this is what passes for a nice story in the middle east just now ....
I was obviously thinking about the reaction of his parents.

The shooting itself was horrible, but for a change (and I don't often do) I believe the Israelis in this case, because there have been instances of boys in Ahmed's age firing at Israeli soldiers. It is a tragedy - but at least in this one tradegy there was a little good to come from it too.

I was quite impressed.

I am not sure how much of this story is about forgiveness, but it does indicate that people can elevate themselves above political rivalries, even compounded by personal grief. This family's decision saved the lives of 6 people in Israel, five of them children. I was especially moved because one of those children was a cystic fibrosis sufferer, and I've lost one of my best friends to CF. I intended to write a letter of support and gratitude to the Khatib family, just can't figure out how to make sure that the letter reaches them. Might send it via Ynet, who interviewed them recently.

Edit- just noticed that the Khatibs live in Jenin- a city that is practically dominated by the Hamas. Which means they will now have to live with the consequences of their noble deed that may paint them as "collaborators". Exceptional courage, I must say.