By Stephen Brackens-Brinkley
(In memory of people killed in the Sabra and Shatila by Lebanese Christian Phalangists and by the Israeli government. This happened in September 16 to 18, 1982.)
O Sabra and Shatila, I bear witness to you, for I was alive when your horror transpired, and I testify, record and bring charges against the ensuing silence of the entire world; a silence which chilled us to our very souls.
O Sabra and Shatila, I watched in shock and initial disbelief and went numb as the recorded images of your massacre were shown to the entire world
O Sabra and Shatila, all persons of the world who were humane recoiled at these events and felt your pain in their hearts, your agony in their spirit, the terrible nausea in the pits of their stomachs at the atrocities committed against you and finally, righteous and unbridled anger in their souls.
O Sabra and Shatila, we marched with our Palestinian brothers and sisters against the government that perpetrated these horrors against you and were spat upon, ridiculed and in some cases attacked, but we continued to raise our voices and demand justice and cry out to almighty God in heaven for redress for you and we were saddened, amazed and incredulous when the majority of the world did not echo nor respond to our cries and our outrage.
O Sabra and Shatila, the conscience of the world was terribly wounded on that day and we cannot, should not and will not ever forget your tremendous sacrifice for the ultimate freedom of Palestine and the Palestinian people and indeed, the freedom of all humanity.
– Stephen Brackens-Brinkley, 53, is an ordained Non-Denominational Christian minister who supports dialogue and communion with all persons of faith. He is an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause. He currently resides in San Diego, CA, USA. He contributed this article to PalestineChronicle.com.
