If one were hard of heart
they might ask
is any Israeli innocent
In a state where military
is compulsory for all
are there any citizens
Is Israel really a democracy
or just another theocracy
blinded by a too literal faith
How can any freedom be
built upon another’s captivity
the jailor is never free
But by the same harsh logic
one must condemn every Palestinian
for the stone in their hand or heart
Who is innocent since Cain
took his brother Abel’s life—
whoever is able can live better
In Hebrew, Cain means possessor,
while Abel means empty…
what does that mean, today
If we have no peace
Mother Teresa reminds us
it’s because we have forgotten
We belong to each other.
Yahia Lababidi (born 1973) Egypt
Source: Palestine Wail, by Yahia Lababidi, Daraja Press, 2024
The poem is available in his book Palestine Wail which can be purchased here
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