Recently, the San Diego Union-Tribune printed an op-ed (“Blocking a Gazan’s path to San Diego”) by Fidaa Abed, one of the “banned” Fulbright Scholars from Gaza that we posted about several weeks ago. Here are some interesting quotes from the column:
“I imagined the long, open roads of the United States and its people’s unchallenged freedom of movement.”Yes, Fidaa, the roads and countryside are beautiful. Unfortunately since 9-11-2001 Americans have given up some of what you call “unchallenged freedom of movement” in order to help mitigate the potential for another large-scale terrorist attack perpetrated by Al Qaeda and other groups with similar ideological orientations, like the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS).
That same freedom of movement allowed HAMAS honcho Musa abu Marzook and his cronies to set up a massive network within the United States to generate and funnel millions of dollars from the U.S. back to the Middle East to finance HAMAS operations. Many of the operators of these networks are still moving unchallenged to this day . . . (even in Central Ohio!)
“I love my people and my homeland, but a young person needs opportunities.”So do we, Fidaa. That is why WE reserve the Right to Protect OUR COUNTRY by NOT ALLOWING people in who have known connections to international terrorism networks!!!
“These are far more abundant in the United States than in the besieged Gaza Strip.”This is true as well, Fidaa. We encourage you and your people to pursue freedom by denouncing Shar'ia Law and embracing equal rights and freedom of religion for all people — just like the United States has done.
Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution does it mandate that America must provide “opportunities”, educational or otherwise — to everyone who seeks them. Just out of curiosity, is that a pillar of the HAMAS Charter that I missed somewhere?
“Last week, I landed in Washington, D.C., brimming with optimism. Upon arrival, I was whisked into a separate room. An American official informed me that he had just received information about me that he could not reveal. However, it required him to put me on the next plane home. I was shocked. And I was taken aback at the cruelty of snatching away my educational dreams at the last possible moment.”Fidaa, your educational dreams are not shattered. You just cannot come to the United States. I am sure that there are plenty of universities in China, Russia, Venezuela, or Pakistan that would be more than willing to open up their doors to a student that has such excellent English grammatical skills and thorough understanding of American English prose as yourself!
“Hundreds of Palestinian students with dreams of improving their lives are stagnating intellectually in Gaza.”Yes, but how many thousands more from the region have been allowed to come into the United States to pursue their “educational dreams”? It is also unfortunate that you are slamming your alma mater. In America, we are beholden to student loans, sweat shirts, and class reunions that encourage an allegiance (at least short term) to the university(s) of our undergraduate achievement. . . .
“Thankfully, I have received support from people around the world. Journalists have wanted to hear my story. The American officials who saw me in Amman and Jerusalem upon my return were friendly and seemed embarrassed by my predicament.”I’m sure that they were embarrassed by THEIR PREDICAMENT! As the old saying goes, stuff roles down hill. . . . Do you really think Secretary Rice is going to take all the heat for granting visas to you and your two friends after it was revealed that you are “known” to either US or Israeli Intelligence (or both)?
“The United States should use its tremendous sway with Israel to advance the cause of freedom and equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”Under what system of law? Just curious, Fidaa, did you vote for HAMAS?
“We Palestinians have been stripped of our land for 60 years.”I believe that several countries in the region attempted to take “your land” away from Israel and lost miserably. Would you be as willing to return land to them if the Arab–Israeli War had turned out differently?
“But with educational opportunity we have persevered and made what we could of our lives. Limiting our educational prospects only perpetuates our status as a subordinate people.”True that. See above. There are plenty of other educational opportunities available out there besides those in the US. And, truth be told, most American universities are so polluted by liberal professors that are forcing personal agendas and not actually teaching “thinking skills” to students, that a couple of years somewhere else might actually benefit your “career” in the long run.
“Nothing is served by confining our best and our brightest to Gaza.”Well, actually from what I have seen and heard, Israeli security checkpoints have saved many lives by confining some of “Gaza’s best” from Israel, and the opportunity to displace their “internal spiritual struggle” on those around them.
Good luck in your educational pursuits.
