A few words for those who have ears to hear: I am currently at F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Restaurant & Cafeteria in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, sitting with my brother Marcel and his friends, watching France vs. Ukraine in soccer. Soccer is the most popular sport here, very popular. I have been drinking water and Arabic coffee, watching Marcel and his friends play a Bethlehem card game (photos above). The people who own this place are Christians. All 3 of the Palestinians playing cards with Marcel are Christians. There are Palestinian flags, a cross, and pictures of the virgin Mary hanging on the walls here. Of course, Marcel is a Christian, a serious one who does significant study in the New and Old Testaments, etc. And...even if these were Muslims...no matter. "Palestinian Arab" DOES NOT equal "terrorist". These are gracious people that I am surrounded by. Not violent. Not lovers of conflict, but lovers of peace. If you want to believe the Israeli and American propaganda that is floating around out there regarding the Palestinian people, over-generalizations and unrealistic stereotyping and some times, straight-up and flat-out lies, go ahead and embrace ignorance. But I won't do it with you, because I hate ignorance. The only guns that I have seen today were brought by Israeli Jews during a meeting today between Marcel and I and 2 Israeli Jews. One of the Jews had my cell phone (long story) and met us in a backstreet in Palestinian territory to bring it to me. I have it back now. To stereotype Palestinians as terrorists who are the causers of all conflict and unrest here in Israel and Palestine is, frankly, an insult (knowingly or unknowingly) to my brother Marcel, his family, and his friends, and therefore an insult to me. I reject this ignorance and love and promote truth. May GOD have mercy upon us. Who is like HIM, abundant in mercy and slow to anger? -Adam, Bethlehem, West Bank
To Delonte: I wish you were here at F.R.I.E.N.D.S. earlier. We could have challenged Marcel and his friends in a game of Spades and repped for Mississippi, U.S.A.!
A few words for those who have ears to hear: I am currently at F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Restaurant & Cafeteria in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine, sitting with my brother Marcel and his friends, watching France vs. Ukraine in soccer. Soccer is the most popular sport here, very popular. I have been drinking water and Arabic coffee, watching Marcel and his friends play a Bethlehem card game (photos above). The people who own this place are Christians. All 3 of the Palestinians playing cards with Marcel are Christians. There are Palestinian flags, a cross, and pictures of the virgin Mary hanging on the walls here. Of course, Marcel is a Christian, a serious one who does significant study in the New and Old Testaments, etc. And...even if these were Muslims...no matter. "Palestinian Arab" DOES NOT equal "terrorist". These are gracious people that I am surrounded by. Not violent. Not lovers of conflict, but lovers of peace. If you want to believe the Israeli and American propaganda that is floating around out there regarding the Palestinian people, over-generalizations and unrealistic stereotyping and some times, straight-up and flat-out lies, go ahead and embrace ignorance. But I won't do it with you, because I hate ignorance. The only guns that I have seen today were brought by Israeli Jews during a meeting today between Marcel and I and 2 Israeli Jews. One of the Jews had my cell phone (long story) and met us in a backstreet in Palestinian territory to bring it to me. I have it back now. To stereotype Palestinians as terrorists who are the causers of all conflict and unrest here in Israel and Palestine is, frankly, an insult (knowingly or unknowingly) to my brother Marcel, his family, and his friends, and therefore an insult to me. I reject this ignorance and love and promote truth. May GOD have mercy upon us. Who is like HIM, abundant in mercy and slow to anger? -Adam, Bethlehem, West Bank
ReplyDeleteTo Delonte: I wish you were here at F.R.I.E.N.D.S. earlier. We could have challenged Marcel and his friends in a game of Spades and repped for Mississippi, U.S.A.!
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