A few weeks ago, I passed on an email from Barbara Lupin from MECA about a story she heard in Gaza. I have updated that post to reflect the note I came across today, which I post here in its entirety. I will post more a I find out:
UPDATE
FROM MECA (JANUARY 26):Barbara Lubin and all of us at the Middle East Children’s Alliance believe that we should have confirmed the story about the Gaza woman who was told by an Israeli soldier to choose which five of her ten children should die, and then witnessed their murder. We are doing everything we can now to verify the story, but have been unable to do so. We ask that you do not publish or post this story on the Internet. If you have already done so, please post this statement, as well.
Barbara Lubin went to Gaza to deliver four tons of medicine and other aid to the people there. When she arrived in the immediate aftermath of the Israeli assault the scene she encountered was chaotic and the people traumatized. She heard and retold many horrifying accounts, and saw for herself the devastation to homes, schools, businesses, land and lives. In these catastrophic circumstances, it’s not difficult to see how Barbara would find this story credible. Unfortunately, we sent it out before taking the time to verify it.
We know that several hundred children lost their lives in the assault, and that some appear to have been shot at close range. There are reports of family members being shot in front of each other. Israeli forces entered Gaza homes and apparently used people as human shields. Israel is now being investigated for using unconventional weapons like white phosphorous and dense inert metal explosive (DIME).
All of us at MECA are committed to accuracy as we relate the stories of what we see when we travel to Palestine. We will keep you informed about what we learn.
Doctors at a hospital near Gaza are almost overwhelmed by the number of Palestinian children needing treatment for bullet wounds to their heads.
The Israeli warcrimes are more disgusting than the holocoust tragedy. To think that those who have bemoaned their struggle and have never let go and moved on for 50 years, are NOW more barbaric, inhuman, and ultimately horrific than the Nazis they still hunt down.
But, more painful to accept is the fact that The United States of America is supporting this. I really question the code of DEMOCRACY in our country, it is almost laughable. Here we are acting all high and mightly around the world, pushing our supposed ideals on other countries, when in fact we are (our government) participators in ethnic cleaning, war grimes and genocide.
What has been done to The Palestininas for the past 60 years is BEYOND comprehension. I honestly cannot get it out of my head.
ISRAEL should pay for EVERY bit of contruction and rehabilitation that builds back GAZA. The Israeli soldiers must be the laborers for this construction, and THE US government needs to MATCH the funds of ISRAEL.
We must STOP sending aid to Israel, forever.
If the Jewish lobbly doesn’t like it , too bad.
In fact, many of them should also put on work clothes and go to buld back GAZA.
PRESIDENT OBAMA MUST TAKE THE HIGHER GROUND AND RELAY IS TRUE THOUGHTS ON THIS, AND NOT ALLOW THE POWER OF THE JEWISH LOBBY TO SILENT HIM ANY MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From what I can determine the list of projects should be: 4 hospitals, 8 schools, a stadium,
1200 houses, and ALL THE DESTROYED AGRICULTURAL
LAND SHOULD BE FILLED BACK WITH GROVES AND TREES FROM ISRAEL.
I am NOT being ridiculous, in fact anything ELSE, is not acceptable.
I propose that EVERYONE START WRITNG LETTERS DAILY, WEEKLY to your congressmen, and confront all the newspapers and TV media on WHY they seem to dismiss this atrocity.
I pledge to make a difference, in any small way I can, and pass on the TRUE stories of these
tortured people.
Namaste,
ANNETTE
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD (Gandhi)