Ahmed Khatib

Ahmed Khatib was a 12 year old Palestinian boy who was shot by Israeli soldiers in November 2005. (Source: The Weekend Australian Magazine July 22-23 2006).

His friends say that they were playing the Palestinian version of Cowboys and Indians.
His parents donated his organs. Four of the six recipients were Israelis. Some months later all the recipients were invited to a “thank you” party. Not everyone came.

A young man, tall in stature
Is laid to rest in Gaza,
Without heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.
Life shot out.

Ahmed, Oh Ahmed, Oh Ahmed my son.

They threw a party in El-Bqa’a
A joyful parade of heartfelt thanks
Mohammed with a new kidney,
Samah with a new heart.

This is my body, given for you.

“We don’t need to be grateful,” some said.
“After all, they’re still bombing us,
him and his crowd”
“Israelis give organs to Palestinians, too
you know”
“It was really the doctors who did the job”

Love your enemies. Forgive those who persecute you.

I am bent over in sorrow
Head and heart in hands.
We are all sick with difference
and blood soaks our common ground.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Sit and draw on the sand
ancient brothers and sisters
cry humble with me
for even the Lion stoops to drink.

Sharonne Price

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