As a Palestinian youth, Sulaiman Khatib encountered the occupation in his village and attempted to fight back, stabbing an Israeli. Imprisoned at the age of 14, he began a process of political and spiritual transformation still unfolding today. Together with Penina Eilberg-Schwartz, an American Jew, they wrote a book, "In This Place Together." Khatib shares how his activism became deeply rooted in the belief that we must ground all workâfrom dialogue to direct action to healingâin recognition of the history and humanity of the other. He reveals how he became convinced that Palestinian freedom can flourish alongside Jewish connection to the land where he was born.
ALSO: we discuss the need to gather more support for Rep. Betty McCollum's HB2590, the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act. The Bill provides that âU.S. assistance intended for Israelâs security must never be used to violate the human rights of Palestinian children, demolish the homes of Palestinian families, or to permanently annex Palestinian lands.â âPeace can only be achieved by respecting human rights, especially the rights of children, and this includes the U.S. taking responsibility for how taxpayer-funded aid is used by recipient countries, Israel included. Congress must stop ignoring the unjust and blatantly cruel mistreatment of Palestinian children and families living under Israeli military occupation.â
Massachusetts has only one sponsor, Ayanna Pressley. What is interesting is who is missing. When McCollum introduced her first bill protecting Palestinian Children over four years ago, Katherine Clark, Jim McGovern and Seth Moulton were also sponsors. Where are they on this bill?
This Week in Palestine 4-25-2021
Sulaiman Khatib and Penina Eilberg-Schwartz: In This Place Together