An Israeli Shot Me. An Israeli Healed Me.
Share
[aggregation-styles]
New York Times
New York Times
An Israeli Shot Me. An Israeli Healed Me.
I was born and raised in the Gaza Strip. For years, my “neighbors” were Israeli soldiers based in the Kfar Darom settlement across the road from my house. Although the settlement was illegally established, my father taught me never to feel hostility toward the soldiers. They were the children of Abraham, as were we Palestinians.
But in September 2000, when I was 11 years old, all that changed. One night after dinner, the soldiers started shooting at our kitchen windows. As we crawled to the center of the house, I could see the bullets ricocheting around me.
Soon after, the soldiers told my father that it was time for him to leave. They wanted to use our house as a command center. My father politely but firmly refused: “I am a peaceful man. I am not your enemy. There is no need for me to leave. If it is not safe for us in our own home, then it will not be safe for us anywhere.”
But in September 2000, when I was 11 years old, all that changed. One night after dinner, the soldiers started shooting at our kitchen windows. As we crawled to the center of the house, I could see the bullets ricocheting around me.
Soon after, the soldiers told my father that it was time for him to leave. They wanted to use our house as a command center. My father politely but firmly refused: “I am a peaceful man. I am not your enemy. There is no need for me to leave. If it is not safe for us in our own home, then it will not be safe for us anywhere.”
By Yousef Bashir | 26 April 2019
RELATED TOPICS:
Authorities Still Searching for Suspect in Shooting of 2 Minnesota State Lawmakers
Latest /
1 day ago
Caitlin Clark Returns and Leads Fever to Upset Win Over Unbeaten Liberty
Sports /
1 day ago
Israel and Iran Bombard Each Other, Trump Says He Can ‘Easily’ End Conflict
World /
10 hours ago
Trump Vetoed an Israeli Plan to Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, US Officials Say
World /
10 hours ago
Newsom Wanted To Fast-Track the Delta Tunnel Project. The Legislature Slowed the Flow
Opinion /
12 hours ago
Five Weeknight Dishes: Seven Ingredients or Fewer, Because Summer
Food /
14 hours ago
Big Fresno Fair Unveils Second Wave of 2025 Concert Acts
Local /
14 hours ago
Military Parade Barrels Through Nation’s Capital With Tanks, Troops and 21-Gun Salute
National /
1 day ago
Authorities Still Searching for Suspect in Shooting of 2 Minnesota State Lawmakers
Latest /
1 day ago
Caitlin Clark Returns and Leads Fever to Upset Win Over Unbeaten Liberty
Sports /
1 day ago
Israel and Iran Bombard Each Other, Trump Says He Can ‘Easily’ End Conflict
World /
10 hours ago
Trump Vetoed an Israeli Plan to Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, US Officials Say
World /
10 hours ago
Newsom Wanted To Fast-Track the Delta Tunnel Project. The Legislature Slowed the Flow
Opinion /
12 hours ago
Five Weeknight Dishes: Seven Ingredients or Fewer, Because Summer
Food /
14 hours ago
Big Fresno Fair Unveils Second Wave of 2025 Concert Acts
Local /
14 hours ago
Military Parade Barrels Through Nation’s Capital With Tanks, Troops and 21-Gun Salute
National /
1 day ago
Authorities Still Searching for Suspect in Shooting of 2 Minnesota State Lawmakers
Latest /
1 day ago
Caitlin Clark Returns and Leads Fever to Upset Win Over Unbeaten Liberty
Sports /
1 day ago
Fresno Man Arrested in Fatal DUI Crash on Trimmer Springs Road
A man is dead and three others are injured following a rollover crash Saturday evening on Trimmer Springs Road that investigators say was ca...
Local /
8 hours ago
Categories
Latest
Videos

Local /
8 hours ago
Fresno Man Arrested in Fatal DUI Crash on Trimmer Springs Road

World /
8 hours ago
Israeli Military Kills 41 People in Gaza, Medics Say

Crime /
10 hours ago
Manhunt for Gunman Who Shot Two Minnesota Lawmakers Enters Second Day

World /
10 hours ago
Israel and Iran Bombard Each Other, Trump Says He Can ‘Easily’ End Conflict

World /
10 hours ago
Trump Vetoed an Israeli Plan to Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, US Officials Say

Opinion /
12 hours ago
Newsom Wanted To Fast-Track the Delta Tunnel Project. The Legislature Slowed the Flow

Food /
14 hours ago
Five Weeknight Dishes: Seven Ingredients or Fewer, Because Summer

Local /
14 hours ago