I believe that if it was someone else you were writing to then yes, they would have easily ignored if not deleted your comments from their blog. I am trying to truly engage with you, but at the same time, you did not create an opportunity for dialogue. I apologize if I insulted you and i have no excuse. I always keep every comment and i engage with those who criticize me more than who do not, at the end, i dont engage to justify myself or excuse my work but to learn and to teach and with you, thus far, i have found it hard. I do not want to convince you of anything that is why I did not how to answer you or was not clear on your questions.

Maybe you have an issue with the NGO community in Palestine individuals here that you are trying to lump up as if all are members of the same gang, and even when i agree with you on some level, i beg you not to generalize all those who work here as being corrupted or as taking advantage of our just cause.

I thank God that i make a simple and not ashamed to say a decent living, i live in a rented apartment, i own no piece of property and will probably never own one, my car is 12 years old and i only seek of it to get me back and fourth to work, my personal charity work is work that only God and those who i serve can give testimony to and not me, but when you come here you can find out for yourself, i have freed myself from any financial transactions at the organization and put my trust in the board and financial mangers and department heads to make sure all is in transparency. We submit full audit reports to all our work, audits done by international auditing firms, (not an accountant cousin of mine!!!).

I was born in the US and am a citizen, i have had numerous offers to move back there only and to work, even for the cause and i said no, change will only come from here and those who are working here.

There is good and bad everywhere and Palestine is no exception, we are all frustrated by what is happening, but it is important to know that those who are working and not just talking are many and I am proud to say i am one of those who has not made this cause a personal business for me or a lecture tour. You can trust my statement or not, I am not a person to gloat and that maybe a reason why i did not ask, but feel free ask and know who i am.

in peace and respect,
Sami

I wonder who is insulting who when you accuse me of being verbally violent and ficticious. If every comment you receive on your site is to be in agreement with you then why even allow comments. Furthermore why would it make any difference to you who I am. Do you check the identity of those who praise you as well? I must say I am dissapointed in your response but not surprised. Not only you dodged answering my questions but you also went on the attack trying to discredit me. Your response to me demonstrates your lack of desire for transperancy. After all I am not the one making a living off the Palestinian cause. I am just your conscience that seems to have gone into hybernation long ago.
Abdullah

I truly wanted to engage in an opportunity for us to get to know each other and to see how we can be a force to continue moving forward the cause of Palestine, but you clearly have a different path and different agenda, one of insult wrongful accusations and attacks.

To know me and what I do you can easily research me, my family and Holy Land Trust. If, after that, and if I do see a good purpose and a basic understanding of who you are, then i am ready to address any real concerns you.

If you want this conversation to continue, I ask you to inform me (publicly or privately) who you are, what you do and what your views are.

in peace,
Sami

Dear Abdullah.

i really want to start by thanking you for your comment.. and i will keep it up for me and others to read.

i will not reply in philosophy or in being defensive or in justification by listing the actions i have done in the past to prove to you that i am more actions than words. At the same time, i know that our words are part of our struggle and i am sure, you, living in the US know exactly what that means. The only real weapon in your position is what you say and how you convince Americans of how their government’s policy is a destructive one.

I almost lost my entire mother’s family in this last attack on Gaza and it was not easy seeing that no one was doing anything… yes, including me and yes, including you and yes, every Palestinian living any where in this world. I believe in action, i live for action, but i will never fall into my action being a reaction, but will engage in proactive action that will result in real change and liberation and not just actions for the sake of revenge and retaliation or for me to postion myslef poltically to gain a “seat” in politics. I would say that when our actions turn into revenge, retaliation and positioning then we are demeaning and diverting from our core struggle to liberation.

If you dont know what is going on in Palestine now, please contact your family and friends and believe me, they will say to you as i say now “we have become our worst enemy.” I stand in full solidarity with my people and do more than anyone can imagine, but at the same time, as you have the freedom to crticize me and accuse me, i have no problem making my voice clear when some of us also do things against our dream. We have all failed our dream.. beleive me Adullah.. for over sixty years… and the results we are in are enough proof.

thank you again for your words and for everything you do to end the injsutice in Palestine.

in peace,
Sami

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Sami I would not assume anything about me or my nationalism here if I were you. I am not the one claiming charity and actions. It is rather you who is full of claims. I never said that I was fighting for this cause because the last thing I want to be is a hypocrite. I would hope you think the same of yourself. I have many experiences in life and I have run into many people from our part of the world who capitalize on others’ misfortunes. I just want to verify that you are legitimate and I sure hope so. To put my doubts to rest, if you would please let me know what you have done to help these poor people who suffer every day. Do you help them financially? Do you volunteer your time? I am just curious as to what exactly you do for the Palestinians. Do you get any financial benefit out of this ordeal? Think of me as your conscience. Abdullah