We now hear people saying about the release of a hostage grandmother who turned back to shake hands with her captors: “This shows that Hamas were gentlemen, treating their captives as guests.”
But what it really confirms is that she was a sincere peacemaker who has dedicated her life to building bridges between Jews and Muslims, who was still capable of saying Shalom, even after militants kidnapped her and slaughtered dozens of other peace activists in cold blood.
“And among the people of Moses is a community which guides by truth and by it establishes justice.”
Quran 7:159
Her elderly husband, who has also dedicated his life to defending the rights of Palestinians, is still missing. Of the four hundred residents of the kibbutz she and her husband founded, 180 were killed or abducted, children and elderlies alike.
There was no kindness shown in that riyad as-salihin on that tragic day, which has brought about nothing but utter destruction in its wake.
As it is said, “By their fruits shall you know them.”
Last modified: 21 September 2024
