From Gaza, with Love

Sunday, July 15, 2007

My mother is in her last moments and I cannot cross the borders

My mother is in the hospital at the moment. She is severely ill. She was admitted to hospital 3 days ago. I cannot reach her.

I finished my 45 day speaking tour in the USA. All across the USA and in every lecture I told the audience about our suffering, living in this big prison called Gaza. I told them about the borders closure and about the patients who passed away while waiting to cross the borders.

The borders have been closed for more than 5 weeks, 28 patients died while waiting to cross the Rafah crossing, the only crossing between Gaza and Egypt. All other exits are completely sealed by the Israeli army. The border was opened 70 times in one year.

Now it is my personal story, like the daily stories of 1.4 million people in GAZA under siege and occupation, poverty, lack of resources, killing, shooting, violence etc....

I cannot cross the borders, I cannot cross the Rafah crossing. I badly need to be next to my mother. I badly need to be there with her to help her, to do whatever I can for her. To say good bye mum.

I was always there for my patients and many people, to help and try to alleviate their suffering. In her last hours I cannot be there, my hands are tied. I am helpless, I can do nothing, I just have to wait and wait and wait. My throat is dry, my eyes are full of tears.

This is unjust, inhuman. It is the occupation. How can it come to be just and fair, when it is mainly based on injustice, aggression and cruelty?

Can somebody help me to go home? I badly need to be at home next to my mother in her last moments.

Good bye mum, I hope you rest in peace, a peace we do not enjoy in Gaza.

with love and solidarity

Mona ElFarra

Sunday 15 July 2007

22 Comments:

  • im sad for you..

    By Blogger Lirun, at 7/16/2007 3:43 PM  

  • This comment has been removed by the author.

    By Blogger eddiepages, at 7/17/2007 3:45 AM  

  • Dr. Elfarra,

    I was hoping to attend your lecture in NY and was saddened to learn that it had been cancelled due to the increased tensions in Gaza. I did however listen to your lecture via the Party for Socialism and Liberation website. I must tell you that I am deeply sorry for your situation and wish in my heart that there were something/anything I could do to help you. I will stand in solidarity with you and the Palestian people Dr. Elfarra. I have in the past several months I have decided that the cause of a free Palestinian state would be my life's work. Continue to be strong Dr. your words and your work have inspired and educated many. Thank you.

    Always in solidarity,

    Eddie Pages

    By Blogger eddiepages, at 7/17/2007 3:46 AM  

  • Dr. Elfarra,

    I was hoping to attend your lecture in NY and was saddened to learn that it had been cancelled due to the increased tensions in Gaza. I did however listen to your lecture via the Party for Socialism and Liberation website. I must tell you that I am deeply sorry for your situation and wish in my heart that there were something/anything I could do to help you. I will stand in solidarity with you and the Palestian people Dr. Elfarra. I have in the past several months I have decided that the cause of a free Palestinian state would be my life's work. Continue to be strong Dr. your words and your work have inspired and educated many. Thank you.

    Always in solidarity,

    Eddie Pages

    By Blogger eddiepages, at 7/17/2007 3:50 AM  

  • السلا م عليكم و رحمة الله و باركته


    اعوذب لله من الشيطان الرجيم

    Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring: and angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation): "Peace unto you for that ye persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final home!"
    13:23-24 | Also 25:75 41:35

    Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord; They rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah: And with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (Martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve.
    003.169
    | Also 2:154

    -------

    May Allah Most High Bless you & family always. Amen.

    By Blogger Snow, at 7/17/2007 7:00 AM  

  • Oh my I am so sorry that you are going through this. I found your blog while surfing other's blogrolls this afternoon.

    I am truely very sorry and I wish there was something I could do.

    I will pray for you.

    By Blogger Weekends Off, at 7/18/2007 12:21 AM  

  • Dear Dr. ElFarra,

    How very sad. I hope the border will be immediately opened and you are able to reach your mother.

    I would like to know what right Israel has in controlling a border between Gaza (which does not belong to Israel) and Egypt (which also does not belong to Israel). Outrageous.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 7/18/2007 9:16 PM  

  • I just stumbled upon your blog and it saddens me to read this. I am praying for you and your mother.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 7/19/2007 8:59 AM  

  • Dear Dr. El Farra,

    As a daughter who loved her own mother immensely, and have been "lost" since she passed away on November 15, 2003, my heart aches for your situation. I am an American who would love to write to someone who might help this situation. Can you list a few names/addresses of someone who has the power to relieve this situation and get you home to your mother as quickly as possible? If so, I, for one, would love to start a campaign so that you can get to your mother as quickly as possible... Let us know! Please feel free to write to me directly if you like, although like most bloggers, I request that my e-mail address not be made public. Please known that you are in my thoughts and prayers, Jean

    By Blogger Unknown, at 7/19/2007 6:48 PM  

  • it's really sad
    now, more than 6000 palestinian in rafah crossing.
    may allah help you and your mum .
    it's really sad
    whats' happening in rafah is a disaster. it's a clear human rights violation

    tc
    with my best wishes to you and your mum

    By Blogger Unknown, at 7/20/2007 11:49 AM  

  • Hi doc! Sorry to read this...breaks my heart indeed. May peace dawn soon.

    By Blogger twilite, at 7/21/2007 12:49 AM  

  • I guess palestinian people are steadfast.
    Instead of keeping complaining remember the child that was thirsty , suffering and refused israeli ( occupied ) water as you wrote:

    "I remember a 4-year old child in the same village who was forced to stay in one room with all members of his family for 48 hours while the Israeli Army commandeered their home. The child was thirsty and the soldier was there with his bottle of water, the occupied and the occupier in the same space. The soldier offered water to the thirsty child. The child said “no, no, no”. The child’s natural reaction was a combination of fear of what the soldier represents and the steadfastness in the face of the occupation. This is what characterizes the Palestinian people: steadfastness and resistance in the face of all adversity".
    end of quote.


    Instead of complaining like a child be like your small hero : Be steadfast.

    You keep blaming israel for every evil.
    You demonize Israel.

    You should be adult enought to bear the consequences of your hate.

    By Blogger Pedro, at 7/22/2007 6:18 AM  

  • Friends -

    With US backing Israel is committing collective punishment on the civilian population of Gaza. This is illegal under international law.

    We all need to educate our fellow citizens and put pressure on our governments (Europe as well as US) plus Israel to STOP THIS ONGOING WAR CRIME. We need sit-ins and non-violent 'closures' of Israeli consulate offices plus the offices of those politicians who support Israel's "right" to do whatever it wants.

    Rick
    www.rickinpalestine.blogspot.com

    By Blogger Rick, at 7/23/2007 6:40 PM  

  • Very very touchy. Hope the best for your mother.
    may god be with her.

    By Blogger Aditya Swarup, at 7/23/2007 9:21 PM  

  • Also.. I would like to put up this letter as an Appeal to the members of the Centre for Culture Law and Society. http://ccls.wordpress.com

    Do allow me.

    By Blogger Aditya Swarup, at 7/23/2007 9:24 PM  

  • I am so sorry. My time online has not been so much as usual, so I had not seen this till today, but I hold you and your mother in my loving thoughts

    By Blogger jarvenpa, at 7/24/2007 5:36 PM  

  • I just read that the border is going to be opened for 500 at a time!!!! This is yet another shameful act of the Israeli government. I'm checking your blog everyday for an update. My email is pages912@mac.com please email me Im very much interested in communicating with you Dr. ElFarra

    Eddie

    By Blogger eddiepages, at 7/29/2007 2:52 AM  

  • Oh, Dr. Mona....I grieve with you...for I spent time in Gaza and I know how unfair and inhumane life is there for you and all of the others.

    Tears fill my eyes as I cry out to God for you. I pray that He will make a way for you to be with your mum soon!

    - Karen Jernigan

    By Blogger Unknown, at 7/31/2007 8:31 PM  

  • People can be so cruel sometimes.
    I'm so sad hearing the things you are going through these days,
    Be strong! Please!

    Asad al nimr,
    Ramallah.
    almanarasquare.blogspot.com

    By Blogger Asad Ramallah, at 8/01/2007 3:44 PM  

  • I pray your mum's health has improved and that you have been able to get home to be with her.
    Thinking of you,
    Ed (Dublin)

    By Blogger Admin, at 8/02/2007 6:27 PM  

  • dr el-farra,

    this is a copy of a letter i wrote to my congress people in the united states, with a copy to olmert. i hope it helps.

    --skip

    friends,

    To: Senators Kennedy and Kerry, and Representative Capuano

    Concerning: the Gaza-Egypt border closing at Rafah

    This border between the Gaza strip and Egypt, nominally under the control of international monitors and Egypt, is actually fully controlled by Israel. There is currently a humanitarian crisis at the border: people trapped on the Egyptian side for at least two months. Over 25 people have already died; others are seriously suffering; for many there are no amenities.

    I am directly aware of two of those trapped Palestinians, Dr. Mona Alfarra, a physician in Gaza, and Husam El Nounou, the public relations director of the Gaza Community Mental Health Center (electronicintifada.net/v2/article7090.shtml). Dr. Alfarra has written her plea via her blog (fromgaza.blogspot.com/) and I am in touch with Husam and know details of his plight. He is separated from his family and his work. Both were on separate speaking tours in the US when they tried to return home.

    As an occupier (despite having withdrawn the settlements, but still in total control, land, sea, air), Israel by international law is responsible for guaranteeing the human rights of residents of Gaza.

    Israel's founding Declaration:

    THE STATE OF ISRAEL … will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; … and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

    More:

    www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace%20Process/Guide%20to%20the%20Peace%20Process/Declaration%20of%20Establishment%20of%20State%20of%20Israel

    I implore you to use all your authority and responsibilities as a congress person to require Israel open that border, thereby acting humanely and in concert with its own Declaration of Independence.

    Thank you.

    --Skip Schiel

    By Blogger teeksa, at 8/03/2007 4:23 PM  

  • I am so sorry for you and everyone not able to be with their families. May God give you reprieve if only for a little while.

    By Blogger Sam, at 1/26/2008 3:34 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home