All of us are aware of what Gaza looks like. It is rubble, bones and dust. What we don't get to experience is how we could ever live in such an environment. Or how we would protect our family and loved ones. There are 20 thousand Palestinian children who will never grow up, and each one is a tragedy for some extended family. How would we cope? Would our lives ever be whole again?
The Old Dutch Church in Kingston presented a play this Friday that is made up of the real text messages sent to a family friend in the United States. There is a Palestinian father who spends his days looking for a few cups of water. There are words of encouragement and empathy that he gets from his friend in return. Finally, there is a news reporter who covers the facts and figures of who gets hit by shrapnel, and who is dying of starvation.
Will future history books call this the American Genocide? Will we, peace loving and enjoying our own lives, ever be blamed for these war crimes? These are all questions that this theater production brings up. Congratulation to the Old Dutch Church for this thought provoking theater event.
Fred Nagel
