I was reading this at the kitchen table in my in-laws' house in Toronto over the holidays... I laughed at the part about throwing over the log you were all sitting on, and the ATVs. When I did, my 12 year old asked what it was I was laughing about, and I had to provide some context, which broke my heart... This whole piece is enraging and inspiring all at once. I'm so relieved that Mohamed is out and so horrified that all of it ever happened, and that so many children are still trapped in this torture. May they all be free and safe.
I wish every kid unjustly arrested and held, every adult unjustly arrested and held had a crowd of people like Mohammed to make as much noise as possible to get them out.
No matter what any of them did - if anything at all - this treatment has NO justification.
Glad you do something about it, Jasper. Good luck to Mohammed! May you prosper!
Jasper, this is seriously good writing--poignant, visceral, charming--hope wrapped in a truly modern tangle of politics and humanity. We should all do our small part to help this break through the media chokehold determined to paint Palestinians as something other than human, because you've highlighted just that so brilliantly. Thank you.
I just feel overwhelmed with what our country’s support for this. Does it do any good to put pressure on the Israeli Embassy? I remember back in the 80’s when fellow students I knew did Amnesty International letters. Can this bring change?
This is so, so horrific. Thank you for sharing this tragedy so the world can know what happens in these disgusting inhumane prisons—to innocent children.
I have a 15 year old with the same name and just the thought of him spending one night in those conditions is heartbreaking and terrifyingly painful. Much love to Mohammed and his family and may Allah reward them all for their patience, all Palestinians all over the world. And for those who have ascended into martyrdom like Walid and Sayfollah, may Allah grant them the highest of Paradise and reunite them with their families in the Hereafter!
Genuinely can't imagine going through that at such a young age, Mohammed's strength and compassion are inspiring. No society should treat humans, let alone children this way. Alhumdillah, the world has woken up to the reality of what Israel is, and Inshallah, this psychotic society will fade into history along with the perpetrators of this genocide.
This story is a beautiful example of Palestinian identity. A Jewish Journalist, standing up for a Palestinian Muslim, in the face of extreme injustice. Israeli identity is based on exclusion and extermination, Palestinian identity is based on inclusion and community. Whether Christian, Muslim, or Jewish, Falistin will welcome you if your heart beats for mankind.
The rage is real and uncontrollable. Here’s the thing. Can this boy and his family track down any pro-Israeli organizations who may have been involved in any of these harrowing experiences? As a US citizen, he should absolutely see if he has any legal rights to sue the State Department and those organizations if any, to really set a precedent for all the future detentions of the US citizens. I don’t know, I am just so angry.
Reading this brought tears of joy and sadness. happiness that Mohammed has been freed but great sadness that an innocent young man Walid was murdered in an Israeli prison. But honestly I am enraged that Israel and the disgusting settlers get away day in and day out with murdering and running Palestinians because they think it’s okay. What can we do from the US to put more pressure to free more innocent young Palestenian prisoners?
Well done. My jaw was clenching throughout and I had to read in sections with breaks in between. I am enraged for this teenager and I am devastated thinking of his cell mates —other captive youth— and the rest of the more than 500 Moh believes he saw inside (I believe him). What are we doing tolerating this for a second longer? My God.
This was really well written, need more stories shining light on what these Palestinian children are going through! Amazing yet disheartening at the same time, keep it up🖤
Reading this before bed and just crying. Thank you so much for sharing Mohammed’s story. Hoping this will help put pressure to free all the other Palestinian prisoners especially the children.
Beautiful work here. Your writing is always good but seems to become more powerful with each new piece. Thanks for telling us Mohammed’s story. I taught in DOE for a decade, write curriculum for progressive orgs like Zinn Ed + work in education but with kids in child welfare now. Here if the family needs any support, even just in curriculum or home schooling projects for him/connecting them with mental health resources for Mohammed.
Picked up Zinn's People's History of the US when I was 15 and had to read in chunks because I would weep. I've been curating my girls middle/high school education since they were bitty. Letting them stay innocent a bit longer. The ancient history is upsetting enough to one of them 😅. This is a sweet offer, hope they message you and take it up 😊
Check out Zinn Education Project, which provides free lessons, book lists and other education resources. And there’s also a Zinn People’s History young reader that is accessible for middle/high grade readers!
I was reading this at the kitchen table in my in-laws' house in Toronto over the holidays... I laughed at the part about throwing over the log you were all sitting on, and the ATVs. When I did, my 12 year old asked what it was I was laughing about, and I had to provide some context, which broke my heart... This whole piece is enraging and inspiring all at once. I'm so relieved that Mohamed is out and so horrified that all of it ever happened, and that so many children are still trapped in this torture. May they all be free and safe.
Very happy for his release, and thank you and Mohammed for sharing his story.
I had tears when I read the bit about Walid. So disgustingly routine.
I wish every kid unjustly arrested and held, every adult unjustly arrested and held had a crowd of people like Mohammed to make as much noise as possible to get them out.
No matter what any of them did - if anything at all - this treatment has NO justification.
Glad you do something about it, Jasper. Good luck to Mohammed! May you prosper!
Jasper, this is seriously good writing--poignant, visceral, charming--hope wrapped in a truly modern tangle of politics and humanity. We should all do our small part to help this break through the media chokehold determined to paint Palestinians as something other than human, because you've highlighted just that so brilliantly. Thank you.
I just feel overwhelmed with what our country’s support for this. Does it do any good to put pressure on the Israeli Embassy? I remember back in the 80’s when fellow students I knew did Amnesty International letters. Can this bring change?
Pressuring the embassy is probably what got him out!
This is so, so horrific. Thank you for sharing this tragedy so the world can know what happens in these disgusting inhumane prisons—to innocent children.
I have a 15 year old with the same name and just the thought of him spending one night in those conditions is heartbreaking and terrifyingly painful. Much love to Mohammed and his family and may Allah reward them all for their patience, all Palestinians all over the world. And for those who have ascended into martyrdom like Walid and Sayfollah, may Allah grant them the highest of Paradise and reunite them with their families in the Hereafter!
Ameen
Genuinely can't imagine going through that at such a young age, Mohammed's strength and compassion are inspiring. No society should treat humans, let alone children this way. Alhumdillah, the world has woken up to the reality of what Israel is, and Inshallah, this psychotic society will fade into history along with the perpetrators of this genocide.
This story is a beautiful example of Palestinian identity. A Jewish Journalist, standing up for a Palestinian Muslim, in the face of extreme injustice. Israeli identity is based on exclusion and extermination, Palestinian identity is based on inclusion and community. Whether Christian, Muslim, or Jewish, Falistin will welcome you if your heart beats for mankind.
Free, free Palestine.
The rage is real and uncontrollable. Here’s the thing. Can this boy and his family track down any pro-Israeli organizations who may have been involved in any of these harrowing experiences? As a US citizen, he should absolutely see if he has any legal rights to sue the State Department and those organizations if any, to really set a precedent for all the future detentions of the US citizens. I don’t know, I am just so angry.
Reading this brought tears of joy and sadness. happiness that Mohammed has been freed but great sadness that an innocent young man Walid was murdered in an Israeli prison. But honestly I am enraged that Israel and the disgusting settlers get away day in and day out with murdering and running Palestinians because they think it’s okay. What can we do from the US to put more pressure to free more innocent young Palestenian prisoners?
Well done. My jaw was clenching throughout and I had to read in sections with breaks in between. I am enraged for this teenager and I am devastated thinking of his cell mates —other captive youth— and the rest of the more than 500 Moh believes he saw inside (I believe him). What are we doing tolerating this for a second longer? My God.
Jeez, no words…
This was really well written, need more stories shining light on what these Palestinian children are going through! Amazing yet disheartening at the same time, keep it up🖤
Sayf and Moh look so similar in the picture of them when they were younger children! Heartbreaking loss. And, of course, Walid Ahmad.
Reading this before bed and just crying. Thank you so much for sharing Mohammed’s story. Hoping this will help put pressure to free all the other Palestinian prisoners especially the children.
Beautiful work here. Your writing is always good but seems to become more powerful with each new piece. Thanks for telling us Mohammed’s story. I taught in DOE for a decade, write curriculum for progressive orgs like Zinn Ed + work in education but with kids in child welfare now. Here if the family needs any support, even just in curriculum or home schooling projects for him/connecting them with mental health resources for Mohammed.
Picked up Zinn's People's History of the US when I was 15 and had to read in chunks because I would weep. I've been curating my girls middle/high school education since they were bitty. Letting them stay innocent a bit longer. The ancient history is upsetting enough to one of them 😅. This is a sweet offer, hope they message you and take it up 😊
Check out Zinn Education Project, which provides free lessons, book lists and other education resources. And there’s also a Zinn People’s History young reader that is accessible for middle/high grade readers!