“‘We cherish life.’”

From Palestine to Americans: A letter.

Cherishing life. 5000-year-old olive tree. Al–Walaja, West Bank. (C.M., 2024)

22 June—Cultures throughout West Asia have a tradition whereby a man may ascend to a revered position within his community due to his spirit of benevolence. Such a man assumes no political position or elected office. These are ordinary men—ordinary but extraordinary who, by virtue of long years of community service, generosity, kindness toward others, and a sense of justice, are beloved and respected by all. The Arabic word for this person, الأب الروحي, translates roughly as godfather. In Iran such a person is known as a javānmard.

Two days ago, 20 June, I asked a friend in al–Arroub refugee camp to see of he could get a statement from a community leader, in the form of a direct appeal to Americans. President Trump was then contemplating the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. My friend visited the nearby refugee camp of New Askar and spoke with a respected community leader—just such a man as described above. I cannot say anything more about this person. Nor can I provide a photograph or name. To do so would put him at significant risk.

What follows is this man’s statement. It arrived yesterday via WhatsApp, time stamped 11:25 a.m. Pacific time. American B–2s dropped their first bombs four hours and twenty-one minutes later.

I publish this now as a call to Americans—spoken from the heart of one Palestinian man who, in all that he imparts, is representative of many West Bank people I have spoken with. His is a call to remember and take responsibility for our humanity, to connect with our best aspirations, and to answer for the government that acts and commits monstrous crimes in our names.

—C.M.

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We cherish life just as you cherish freedom.

To every heart and mind of an American citizen struggling through daily hardships to achieve a decent standard of living,
To every American father and mother whose son or daughter serves Trump’s economic interests,
To every American citizen who has the right to vote,
To every living religious conscience,

I appeal to you: Stop supporting the apartheid state, the state of genocide, the Israeli occupation state.
With your tax money, they occupy our land and destroy Christ’s dream of love and life.
They defy the teachings of Moses: Do not kill, respect human rights.

We can live together in the Holy Land without occupation,
We can pray in Jerusalem without apartheid walls.
With your help, we can build a more beautiful homeland where justice and peace prevail.

Call for love and peace in the land of peace.
Be our voice. Stand for freedom. Stop the war and the massacres.
Let your prayers be for ending the war,
For freedom,
So that our peoples may live with hope, believing that you stand with justice.

We live in refugee camps within our own homeland.
And we declare clearly:
No to war,
No to bombing,
No to Trump’s support for Israel.

Your money is better spent:
On strengthening your economy,
On healthcare programs,
On supporting the homeless—
Not on funding killing and occupation.

Published simultaneously at Winter Wheat and West Bank Alerts.

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