An open letter from a Palestinian refugee to an ex-Irgun terrorist on the 70th year of the Nakba

“Al Nakba exploded among Palestinians the desire for, even obsession with, education. They quickly realized, having lost their country, that education, and indeed brain power, is the possession that the Israelis cannot rob them of. The rate of high school students among Palestinians is comparable to Jewish Israelis. By contrast, the figure among Palestinians in Israel is a fraction of that. Can we say then that the Nakba is a blessing in disguise? It certainly is not a blessing. Al Nakba, the most devastating event in Palestine’s 5000 year history, created the will and determination to survive by any means. With that, the Palestinians created a presence and impact in many cities of the western world. They also multiplied ten times.”