Standing on a tram in Athens going to our apartment from a full day of exploring the New Acropolis Museum and the Agora, we were tired and ready to get home and comfy. The tram was crowded so we had to stand holding onto the loops hanging from the ceiling of the tram car. Stan and I know we look out of place in foreign countries. In public trams and subways, we usually just stand there and try to look inconspicuous. Still, a man I hadn’t even noticed asked, “Where are you from?” Naturally, we answered, “The United States.” He wanted to shake our hands. We asked where he and the younger man traveling with him were from. They said, “Palestine.” I was taken aback. My knees buckled. I just said, “I’m so sorry for what is going on in your country. I wish you peace. I wish everyone involved peace.” They thanked us as we all put our hands over our hearts.
He said, “We don’t understand. Hamas is bad–they don’t care that our children are being killed. We have lost so many children.” And then the younger one of the two spoke a little English as well but he used Google Translate to tell me they were refugees from Gaza who had been granted asylum in Athens. Tears came to my eyes. He told us they had been in Athens for three weeks. I don’t know the older man’s profession but the younger one was a social worker in Gaza. Now they are employed in Athens sorting recycles and biodegradables from trash until documents are in place that will allow them to work here in their trained professions or get better jobs. They support themselves. They are happy to be here, but they agonize that their families are still in Gaza living in shelters. The process of gaining asylum is very complicated. The young man, Mohamed, showed me pics of his beautiful wife and young children. He is praying his family can get approval to come to Greece in a few weeks. The older man just kept saying, “The children.”
I could not help myself, my tears flowed as they spoke. They are Palestinians but they hate this war. Ordinary Palestinians have no association with Hamas. They do not understand why there must be war and know it will solve nothing. Like all of us, they just want to be with their families and their lives in peace. It is not just soldiers who get hurt or die in war. Ordinary people and their children are often the casualties.
We asked these men . . . why don’t Palestinians partner with Israel to fight Hamas? They said, we have no power; we are not an army.
It made me think. What if a strong and well-funded rebellious group infiltrated our community equipped for war against . . . I don’t know . . . the government or a religious group perhaps? When the shooting takes place and homes and buildings are bombed, who would get hurt? Who would pay the price?
I pray for these people and I pray for Israel. Let there be peace.
Thank you for sending this. Yes, it is a tragedy for the Palestinians (the Israel’s also) Unfortunately, they have been at war for centuries and I don’t know the solution. What I do know is Hamas has got to go and be eliminated! Gary
I totally agree. The men we met agree as well.
War is devastating to all. I feel your grief during and after this meeting as you learned of their plight. Sadly, you could have easily have met an Israeli who told the same story and more. I guess I don’t understand why someone would settle in an area with a government known for stripping citizens of all power. How did they come to be in Gaza prior to the war? Why didn’t they leave before they created families with children ? Couldn’t they leave or were there laws preventing them from leaving?
When I see the release of those Israeli hostages of older women and young children, one four yr old who was wrapped in the arms of her dead father protecting her still during her being taken, I am grief stricken and angry. When I imagine awakening in pjs to begin my day and I am ambushed by gunmen killing those I love savagely and grabbing me as a hostage underground for weeks I feel grief and swirling horror.
Humans as so many animals on this planet including orcas, dolphins, monkeys etc. kill for more than prey. There lies a savagery in their DNA that perhaps is activated by environmental conditions. IDK.
God intended for you to have this experience to see the sadness on families of the attacker. I know it shook you to the core.
But even here in the states as citizens we are at risk when our government decides to take up arms to fight wars. In Charleston citizens had to use black out shades during WW II. There was a German POW camp one block from the house I grew. up in. There were under cover drills during Cuban Missile Crisis and we all knew Charleston was. Ground Zero. Someone could have easily pushed a button and the historic city filled with tourists today could have been simply a memorial with my name engraved somewhere.
Aggression of a violent nature, has devastating impacts. Every place you visit in Europe has a history of this violence and the same impact on the people living there. Citizens are always the victims of war.
I can’t wait to hug you, my sensitive friend. Stay safe.
❤️🥺❤️
Thanks for sharing this.