Bereaved Israeli family consoles father of murdered Palestinian teen

[Behind the Aegis]

Two bereaved families, one Israeli and one Palestinian established contact Sunday, during a condolence visit by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat at the Nof Ayalon home of Naftali Fraenkel, one of the three Israeli teens kidnapped and murdered in the West Bank.

During the visit, Barkat called Hussein Abu Khdeir, the father of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, a 16-year-old Palestinian whose body was found in the Jerusalem Forest last week. Barkat offered his condolences, and at the end of the call asked Hussein Abu Khdeir and Yishai Fraenkel, Naftali Fraenkel's uncle, if they wish to speak. Fraenkel expressed his condolences, and added that he was horrified to learn that Khdeir's murderers were Jews.

The two agreed that the families of the three Jewish victims would soon pay a condolence visit to Abu Khdeir's family over the death of their son.

more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.603443/1.603443

(If you have already visited Ha'aretz this week, clear your cookies to read the story.)

[Cha]

1. Mahalo BtA :(

[sheshe2]

3. So very sad BtA.

We have to stop our children from being killed. Somehow the hate has to stop.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

4. A glimmer of hope among dally the insanity.

[NealK]

5. +1

[Justice]

12. My thoughts exactly.

[McCamy Taylor]

6. Cry

[delrem]

7. Very good.

A small window peeking out on possible peaceable coexistence.

We can only hope that sometime in the future the politicians required to do the job come into existence.

It requires a different way of thinking.

[JI7]

8. it's too bad this is how they had to connect

because they probably would have got along in more normal and happy situation and their kids would probably have been friends too.

[JustAnotherGen]

10. I agree

And there is a huge part of me that says - these were all kids. Violence is never an answer to much of anything - but kids are always off limits. I can't disconnect these teenage boys from how I felt about Trayvon Martin. Too much sadness and who knows what any of them woud have accomplished in life?

[Behind the Aegis]

16. It is very sad.

Parents having to meet because they "share" a dead child. This shows there can be understanding between the people, despite those (see below) who will always find a negative.

[Uncle Joe]

9. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Behind the Aegis.

[shaayecanaan]

11. And back to reality...

Israeli police brutally beat, detain Florida teen while he was watching protests over slaying of Palestinian cousin: family



A U.S. teen mourning the apparent payback murder of a Palestinian cousin was beaten and arrested by Israeli police in the days before the slain boy’s funeral, officials said.

Tariq Khdeir, 15, was visited while in custody Saturday by an official from the American consulate, the State Department announced in a statement.

“We are profoundly troubled by reports that he was severely beaten while in police custody and strongly condemn any excessive use of force,” said spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/israeli-police-beat-detain-fla-teen-family-article-1.1856079#

[malaise]

13. Very nice - I thought of this

A friend once sent a billboard from Israel with a Bob Marley quote
"If puss and dog can live together, why can't we love one another".

[Agony]

14. this is not without precedence - The Parents Circle

http://www.theparentscircle.com

Since 2006 when I first heard his story, every time I hear of an act of violence and violent retribution, I think of Rami Elhanan.


http://www.theparentscircle.org/Story.aspx?ID=415#.U7qJ7KV_13Y

"My name is Rami Elhanan. I am fifty-seven years old, a graphic designer, and a 7th generation Jerusalemite. I am a Jew, I am an Israeli, and before everything else-I am a human being.
"
...
"And really there are only two options to choose from, only one of two paths to trod: the first is the obvious one, the automatic, and the immediate. When someone murders your 14 year old little daughter, the one and only thing you have in your head is unlimited anger and an urge for revenge that is stronger than death. This is a natural feeling, it's only human. Most people feel that way, it's understandable, it's clear and predictable. However, we are human beings and not animals. We have a head on our shoulders and inside that head we have a brain and when the first madness of anger passes, you begin to ask yourself penetrating questions: if I kill someone in revenge, will that bring my baby back to me? And if I cause someone pain, will that ease my own pain? And the answer is absolutely "No". Then, during a long and slow, difficult and painful process you gradually reach the other road, and you try to understand: what occurred here? What can drive someone to such anger and despair as to be willing to blow himself up together with little girls? And most important: what can you, personally, do to prevent this intolerable suffering from others...
"

With hope,
Agony

[LeftishBrit]

15. k&r