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Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace
Austinites Watching Gaza Strip Removal
KXAN-TV 36
August 22, 2005
The last Jewish settlers have been removed from the Gaza Strip, and for some Austinites, this historical moment is hitting close to home.
For some, watching Israeli families forced to leave their home after 38 years brings back memories — people like Mohammad Mohammad, a Palestinian whose family had to leave their homes in 1948.
"It doesn't matter to me because that's an occupation anyway in a land that doesn't belong to you in the first place," Mohammad Mohammad said.
Mohammad says he's not rejoicing at the removal of Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip. He won't until he sees a true Palestinian state.
Avraham Zilka just returned from Israel. He, like Mohammad Mohammad, teaches at the University of Texas. But when overseas, he saw firsthand the pain the removal is causing many of the Jewish people.
"It's a human tragedy in some way because these people were born there. Their fathers were born there," Zilkha said. "I went to some of the demonstrations when I was in Jerusalem when they were lying down there blocking the roads, and you see those 14-, 16-year-old girls putting their life on the line."
Zilkha says there's still a long way to peace, but there are some in Austin who want to get there a little faster. Raid Mohammad and David Albert are part of that effort. Both belong to interfaith groups demanding a solution.
"The United States needs to get involved, and it will get involved if we, as citizens, Jews, Christians and Muslims say you need to get involved," Jewish peace advocate David Albert said.
"The more we keep the dialogue going, the communication, the easier it will be to find solutions to what may seem like a dead-end," Iraqi Muslim peace advocate Raid Mohammad said.
Meanwhile, Mohammad says he's seen too many peace agreements fall through and is putting little faith in this one.
"I do hope. I do want peace. But, I don't think that's going to come in my lifetime," Mohammad Mohammad said.