HISTORY WILL NOT FORGET GENERATIONS WILL NOT FORGIVE

Sitting on her living room sofa, Leah was engrossed in watching television. Having recently turned 17, she was known for her curiosity and interest in both local and global politics. Unlike many of her peers, Leah always made sure to confirm and verify any information she received before forming her own opinions. She was a thoughtful and sensitive young woman, hailing from a Jewish family.

Leah's ancestors had immigrated to the US following the end of the second World War. Her mother, Elijah, was a dedicated social worker with a strong passion for religious matters. Elijah firmly believed in the imminent arrival of the Messiah, who would grant the Jewish people their own homeland, and they would subsequently govern the world under his leadership. 

Leah's father, Viktor, had been serving in the Israeli Defense Forces for the past five years.

As Elijah busied herself with daily chores in her open-concept kitchen and lounge, she heard Leah's cries of alarm. "Mom, mom, look at this!" Elijah quickly turned her attention to the television screen, where she saw a headline about Hamas launching attacks on southern regions in Israel, resulting in the death of hundreds of civilians. Overwhelmed with anger, Elijah exclaimed, "These terrorists will never let this world experience peace." Fortunately, Viktor, Leah's father, was stationed on the northern side, so Elijah didn't have to worry about his safety due to this news. Leah, with a look of disbelief, asked her mother, "I just can't comprehend why they keep doing this, why can't they just stop fighting with others?"

"You really need to witness it for yourself," Elijah said, her voice seething with hatred. "They target peaceful citizens and tourists and then victimize themselves, making it seem as though our forces are responsible for their deaths." Leah looked on, her expression one of confusion, as she added, "Some of my classmates claim that we have forcibly seized their land, but I told them that it's not true. Yet, they refuse to believe me."

Elijah jabbed her finger towards the TV screen, her anger mounting. "This is their reality," she declared. "They have invaded our territory, taken innocent lives. We never seized their land. I think you should associate with like-minded individuals at your university," she added before retiring to her room. While Leah had been educated about their religious beliefs, Elijah refrained from discussing such topics with her. She believed Leah was still too young to fully grasp the complexities of the situation and preferred to revisit the topic when Leah was more mature.“

 

The following day, disturbing news surfaced about a music festival that had been targeted, resulting in the death of approximately 260 attendees and captivity of many others. Among the victims was a German tourist named Shani Louk. Leah was left in a state of shock, and after the attack, she reached out to her father for an update. He informed her that rescue operations were underway, and the situation remained tense. Leah also argued with her classmates, presenting them with details of the casualties and injuries. In response, her classmates pointed out that it had been 50 years since Palestinians had last retaliated against Israel, a stark contrast to the 75 years of casualties Palestinians had experienced at the hands of the IDF.

Meanwhile Israel has responded with 500 strikes since Hamas’s attack and killed around 600 people. During dinner with her mother that evening, Elijah remained in a state of rage, insisting she wanted to annihilate every inhabitant of Gaza. Concerned about the situation, Leah noticed a conspicuous absence of coverage depicting Hamas's involvement in the conflict. Despite a surplus of videos on social media chronicling the plight of Palestinian civilians and the tragic aftermath of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, mainstream news outlets displayed a blatant disregard for Israel's role in the escalating violence. Moments later, Elijah cried out, "Oh my god!" directing Leah's attention towards Piers Morgan's TV show, where the host discussed the altercations between both entities."Indeed," Morgan affirmed. "Disturbing reports indicate that 40 infants-" he hesitated, momentarily composing himself "-have been ruthlessly killed, some of them even decapitated."

The revelation of the atrocities left Leah horrified, prompting Elijah to break down in tears, cursing Hamas, and leaving Leah unable to compose herself. Overcame with emotion, she retreated to her room, tears streaming down her face, and sat on her bed, hugging her knees. The disturbing thought of infants being beheaded in real life rather than merely the silver screen left her sleepless, and the next day, she decided to stay home from university, crippled by a sudden fever. Elijah remained concerned about Leah's emotional state. It was well known that Leah was highly sensitive to upsetting events, making her more susceptible to distress.

"You can take two or three days off, dear!" Elijah suggested, noticing Leah immersed in a book.

"No, I'll be fine, Mom. I'll go tomorrow. I just hope all this chaos comes to an end soon," Leah replied.

"You don't have to worry, the Israeli Defense Forces are working tirelessly to eliminate every single Islamic terrorist responsible for this atrocity," Elijah asserted, her face contorted with anger.

Two days later, Leah returned from her university and found her mother in her bedroom, sipping juice and relaxing. "You're back early. Is something bothering you?" Elijah asked, surprised by Leah's somber expression.

Leah exclaimed, "Mom! It was all a lie!" She held up her mobile phone, 

"That report about 40 babies being beheaded by Hamas, it was entirely fabricated!"

Elijah, paying close attention, replied, "What are you talking about, dear?"

Leah clarified further, "Those reports about babies decapitated by Hamas, Mom, they were false. All of it was a lie."

"Oh, and how can you be so sure?" Elijah inquired, maintaining a calm demeanor.

Leah presented her evidence, "See this, Mom. Here's a video clip of Piers Morgan in a program, refuting the reports of beheaded babies."As if expecting this revelation, Elijah responded, "It must be a misunderstanding." Perplexed, Leah asked, "Mom, how can you consider it as just a misunderstanding? Saying that Hamas decapitated 40 children is a misunderstanding to you? It's a planned propaganda, an untruthful declaration used as a license to kill innocent people. You were sobbing and cursing them that day, as I struggled to sleep for the past two nights. There is no evidence whatsoever to validate this news."

Elijah attempted to play devil's advocate, saying, "But, Leah, even President Biden saw that video."

“President Biden lied about watching the video of this horrible crime and then  President’s office denied it because there was no such thing. This killing game should end now."

"Hamas began this conflict, and they will bear the consequences of their actions," Elijah affirmed, acknowledging she couldn't provide a satisfactory response to Leah's probing questions while avoiding arguments related to their religious beliefs.

Leah, visibly upset, retorted, "I doubt the authenticity of that Hamas attack on the music festival. Was it real or just another fabrication like the story of the German tourist, Shani Louk, who, as reported by the media, perished due to Hamas, but is, in fact, alive according to her family?"

Feeling startled, Leah left the room, leaving Elijah reeling from her own motherly revelations and questionable sources.

On weekend Leah was checking social media when she read about an attack from  IDF on Al-ahli hospital in Gaza. 470 people were reported to be killed. All social media platforms were full of bloodied images of men, women, children and infants.  Israel PM’s respondent, tweeted that Israeli Air Force struck Hamas, terrorist base in Gaza hospital and after seeing criticism from public he deleted the tweet soon  and started putting blame on Hamas for the strike. She scroll through the phone for a while but it was too difficult for her to watch so she put the mobile down and started crying. 

After sometime when Elijah came to ask her for tea, she found her crying badly. She rushed to her and ask her: “What happened Leah? Why are you crying?” 

“Mom IDF, they have bombed the hospital mom. There were dead bodies everywhere mom. It is inhuman. We are worse than animals’ mom! “She replied  while crying.
“Leah dear please try to understand, this had to happen. If not today then after some years. It was bound to happen.” She decided to talk to her about everything today. 

“What do you mean it had to happen?” Leah surprisingly asked. 

“Listen and listen carefully. It was our land where they have been living. It was our  sacred land. Our ancestors migrated there under the leadership of Moses and  Messiah is bound to come there so we had to clear the land for him to arrive and  return us our rule over the world.” Elijah said separating each word so that Leah can understand it clearly. 

Leah was looking at her in shock. Tears flowing from her eyes. After few seconds, she took a long breath and then started talking looking into her mother’s eyes.

 
“You said you have to clear the land, right mom? From what? Was their some dirt  or garbage or animals? And how did you have to clear it? By sweeping or deporting?  They were human beings like us Mom. You cleared that place by bombing them?  You want to vanish them?” 
She took a breath and continued again.  

“I still can’t believe what you have just said. And who told you to clear the land for Messiah by killing innocent injured people in a hospital? Did your Messiah  told you to do this? If he told you Mom then you must be waiting for some false messiah.” She was still in tears while Elijah let her complete then replied: 
“Leah it is not like that, we have been trying for last 75 years but they are not  leaving our land. And Messiah didn’t ask us to do it but someone has to sacrifice, Leah. so please don’t take it so seriously. You are still immature to understand these things.”  

“My class fellows were right then Mom, we have been forcefully trying to displace them from their land where British government helped us to illegally capture their land in order to fulfill Balfour Declaration. And sacrifice for what Mom? Killing 4 months baby with a bomb is a murder, a cold blooded murder. How would you feel if they would have killed me like this?” Leah asked. 

“I will kill everyone before they touch you. “Elijah replied immediately.

“They will have this same hatred for us right now Mom. We have murdered them.  We are not civilized people. No one attacks hospitals even during a war.” She yelled. 

“Leah calm down. I didn’t want to have a debate with you over this but since you are just getting too emotional about it so let me tell you that we are the “Chosen  People”, chosen by God. We are His beloved people so even if we do something bad intentionally then we will not be severely punished. And as far as I think we have not done anything wrong yet. We are just recovering our land from them and all is fair in love and war.” Elijah told her specifically emphasizing the word chosen people. 

Leah was stunned to hear the thoughts of her mother. She looked at her for a moment then got out of her bed to leave the room. On reaching the door, she turned back and said: 
“Mom I am sorry to say but I am deeply in pain knowing your thoughts and seeing  your ignorance about this barbaric act. You are right you shouldn’t have discussed it with me not because I am immature to understand but because I can never think  like that. I never debate with anyone about religious beliefs but I would just like to say that whatever you have attributed from this theory of “Chosen People” is  wrong.

You are accusing God to be unjust with this theory. 

We are not the contract  killers of God to kill His other creatures. These people murdered by us are not of  any lesser to God. History never forgets Mom and generations will never forgive. It’s been around 90 years since Hitler murdered our ancestors but still we hate them the same, similarly next generations of people will remember and keep hating us for this. There was just one Hitler in Germany but today we all have become Hitler. We  ruined the sacrifices of our ancestors. We had to learn the lesson of empathy from  what we had faced in our past but unfortunately we chose to learn racism. You can stay with your beliefs but I will not be a part of this anymore.” Then she left. 

Next few days were more difficult for people of Gaza and humanity. Leah was busy in social media campaigns to collect aid for Gaza. She was normal with Elijah and her father whom she called twice during these days. There was a protest in support of Gaza where she was also present collecting funds for people facing terror in Gaza. Elijah saw her on TV in that protest. Leah was also invited to speak to the  crowd. She came and started her speech:

“Hello everyone, I am Leah Robowski. I know few eyebrows have raised and there  are few whispers over my presence here. I am ashamed today not because of my religious background but because I see myself today as a failed human being. Whatever has happened in last three weeks have shown us that we are all  hypocrites shouting for human rights everywhere but when it was needed the most  to speak, we kept quiet. We didn’t do it for the first time, we had done this in the past in Germany, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Kashmir and many other territories. We  have prioritized our wealth and foreign relations over humanity. I personally tell you that being a Jew, I never forget the holocaust, concentration camps and all that  happened to us in Germany. I didn’t forget the silence of these civilized country that time. I can never forget that. Although I didn’t witness it, I just read it. What I  have been witnessing now is the same thing. 

I will never forget this and I will never  forgive those who helped this heinous act and those who chose to be neutral.  Today I want you to remember few things and never forget them. When you go to purchase ice cream for your child then don’t forget that ice cream truck in Gaza,  full of dead bodies of children of your child’s age, killed by your government. When you carry some food parcel for your loved ones then remember the father who had to carry the body parts of his children in shopping bags because we blast those children with our bombs. When some Jew asked you to not talk about holocaust  then show them the clip of the little child shaking with fear in Gaza. 

When they ask you to condemn some injustice here then remind them that it was US who not once but twice opposed the UN resolution for Ceasefire in Gaza. When they ask you to  respect their dead ones then remind them that it was Joe Biden who asked for the list of people that he murdered in Gaza giving the impression that Gaza health ministry is giving wrong numbers. According to that list, 7028 innocent unarmed civilians have been bombarded to death by Israel and US. 

When they tell you that Hamas is a terrorist group then remind them that hostages who have been released  by Hamas have praised them and the country which has committed most number of civilian murders ever is US. Last night the communication of Gaza with the world  was cut down and like cowards, at night, Israel Air Force bombarded Gaza with unlimited bombs. 

The casualties have not been counted till now. When they lecture  you about freedom of speech then show them how media was biased in their favor  and they were murdering the journalists who were reporting the truth. The wrong beliefs, false faith of some people and criminal silence of world leaders is the reason of this genocide, massacre and inhumanity. I wish we could send the weapons with food and other aid to people of Gaza so they could fight against them because they are way more courageous than us in their faith. I want you all to keep raising your voice, keep sending aid and keep praying for them. May those who killed, rest in  peace and May God keep others safe. Aāmiin.” She wiped her tears and then joined the crowd again.

via 📲 @iamasimplemuslim