Lest I Forget

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• Published on 30-9-2017 on my Facebook page

• On this day 30/9/1966... I boarded the plane departing from Jerusalem International Airport in Qalandia... Ramallah, to Cairo to continue my studies at Egyptian universities... I remember that day with all pride and esteem.. My father's agal, while he and my mother (may God have mercy on them) were seeing me off... ma‘naqra...!... And between that day and this day... the events of the cause unfolded... While our concern in those days was addressing the effects of the Nakba, and the return of the refugees, the West Bank was a part joined to the East Bank, constituting the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.. and there were no settlements, rather there was a prohibited area, remaining from the 1948 Armistice Agreement.. the dimensions of that area were evident before me.. where my town.. Azun near Qalqilya lies on the Green Line..... Events developed after the day I took off, and the situation deteriorated so that the Naksa occurred in 1967... passing through dark days for the Palestinian and Arab people.... except for intifadas that began strongly and then waned... and innovative solutions at the start of 2000... from the Roadmap to an independent state.... but the Arab League... showered us with statements of denunciation and condemnation... and settlement expanded to an extent that it became impossible to establish the Palestinians' dream... and the Palestinian negotiator forgot the settlement issue...! It was fierce in the early years of the Authority's existence and until now.... postponing the discussion of settlement for 20 years... along with the issues deferred to the final stage... and America abandoned its creative solutions, among power transitions within it.... and they struck besieged Gaza... and destroyed it.. several times... and martyrs fell during this period, and thousands were taken captive and tens of thousands.... were wounded, and we began to feel that Israel is a brotherly country to many Arab states..... and there are flights between these countries.. the cause was lost until it had no existence, after the concerned parties invented the Arab Spring. From time to time..... I visit my town Azun these days.. the olive season fell, and people went down to their fields, some of which are beyond a hateful wall, and some of which are close to several settlements that surround the town... no fewer than 4 ..settlements, ..as is the case with the rest of the Palestinian villages and towns. And I feel that we were deceived by all parties..!

• Look at what was called Qalandia Airport. Or Jerusalem Airport... it became a ruined land.. nothing remains between us except the firm will.. that we will return.... one day... Generations of our fathers and mothers died, with anguish in their souls...! The Arab agal is no longer ma‘naqra..!. I withdraw to myself and say.. in this nation there are generations.. that will not forget.. and will restore the right.. according to a mode of thinking different from what preceded..! The flag and work are the way... all greetings to you...