Ten years ago (almost to the day) George and his family, (wife and 2 daughters: 12 and 15 years old) were in their car on the way to do the weekly shopping in Bethlehem. It was their day out together, Mum and Dad always made this a priority.
But, today two events that they could never have known about would conspire to make this a day the family could never forget. (Event 1) In the centre of town an ambush had been established, waiting for a target: a small car, with three suspects. As George drove into town in his small car he saw three empty military vehicles on the side of the road, but there was nothing unusual about that in this city - and certainly nothing to worry about. But, (Event 2) he wasn't to know that the car behind him was the target.
When the shooting stopped the three people in the second car were dead; George had nine bullets in him, his wife next to him had been hit with shrapnel, his 15 year old daughter had a bullet in the knee and his 12 year old daughter was dead.
I was sitting in a library dedicated to his daughter as George told his story in a voice that was laced with both passion and pride - but not hatred, not revenge, not regret! Of course he misses his little girl, and obviously he regrets her death, but he refuses to hate and blame.
George lives forgiveness. Soon after the event George and his family were contacted by the Parent's Circle - Families Forum, a grassroots organisation of bereaved Palestinian and Israelis. The family joined the group and have, for ten years, been part of the voices crying out for justice and reconciliation as a road to peace.
PCCF "is a joint Palestinian Israeli organization of over 600 families, all of whom have lost a close family member as a result of the prolonged conflict. Joint activities have shown that the reconciliation between individuals and nations is possible and it is this insight that they are trying to pass on to both sides of the conflict. Moreover, the PCFF has concluded that the process of reconciliation between nations is a prerequisite to achieving a sustainable peace. The organization thus utilizes all resources available in education, public meetings and the media, to spread these ideas."
This is a two sided story, there are tragedies on both sides - the causes and the options are complex but George finishes: "God asks us to forgive, but not to forget our rights; to live side by side - Christians, Jews and Muslims together. There is enough land for us all to live with respect for one another."
But, today two events that they could never have known about would conspire to make this a day the family could never forget. (Event 1) In the centre of town an ambush had been established, waiting for a target: a small car, with three suspects. As George drove into town in his small car he saw three empty military vehicles on the side of the road, but there was nothing unusual about that in this city - and certainly nothing to worry about. But, (Event 2) he wasn't to know that the car behind him was the target.
When the shooting stopped the three people in the second car were dead; George had nine bullets in him, his wife next to him had been hit with shrapnel, his 15 year old daughter had a bullet in the knee and his 12 year old daughter was dead.
I was sitting in a library dedicated to his daughter as George told his story in a voice that was laced with both passion and pride - but not hatred, not revenge, not regret! Of course he misses his little girl, and obviously he regrets her death, but he refuses to hate and blame.
George lives forgiveness. Soon after the event George and his family were contacted by the Parent's Circle - Families Forum, a grassroots organisation of bereaved Palestinian and Israelis. The family joined the group and have, for ten years, been part of the voices crying out for justice and reconciliation as a road to peace.
PCCF "is a joint Palestinian Israeli organization of over 600 families, all of whom have lost a close family member as a result of the prolonged conflict. Joint activities have shown that the reconciliation between individuals and nations is possible and it is this insight that they are trying to pass on to both sides of the conflict. Moreover, the PCFF has concluded that the process of reconciliation between nations is a prerequisite to achieving a sustainable peace. The organization thus utilizes all resources available in education, public meetings and the media, to spread these ideas."
This is a two sided story, there are tragedies on both sides - the causes and the options are complex but George finishes: "God asks us to forgive, but not to forget our rights; to live side by side - Christians, Jews and Muslims together. There is enough land for us all to live with respect for one another."
