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Palestine International

Palestinian Father in U.S. Recounts How His 11 Year-Old Son Died When Israeli Warplanes Bombed His Family's House

by via Democracy Now

Fri, Jan 16, 2009 8:12AM

Friday, January 16, 2009 :As the Palestinian death toll in Israel's assault on Gaza climbs above 1,100, we take a look behind the statistics. Suleiman Baraka is a Palestinian astrophysicist working at Virgnia tech with NASA. His 11 year-old son, Ibrahim, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his house. His wife and three other children are now homeless in Gaza, along with 17 members of his family. In his first broadcast interview in the U.S., Suleiman Baraka tells his story. We also speak with Suleiman's brother, Sayed, who arrived at the house seconds after it was bombed.

As the Israeli assault on Gaza continues, the Palestinian death toll continues to mount. Over the past 21 days, more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed and 5,200 wounded. At least 700 civilians are among the dead, including more than 350 children.

Today, we take a look behind the statistics. Suleiman Baraka is a Palestinian astrophysicist working at Virginia tech with NASA.

On December 29th, Israeli warplanes bombed his house where his wife and four children were staying. His 11 year-old son, Ibrahim, was killed. His wife and three other children are now homeless in Gaza, along with 17 members of his family. Suleiman Baraka has never before told his story in the US. He joins us now from Norfolk, Virginia. Welcome to Democracy Now.

We are also joined on the telephone from Gaza City by Suleiman’s brother, Sayed.

Suleiman Baraka, Palestinian astrophysicist. He is a post doctoral associate at Virginia Tech working at the National Institute of Aerospace for NASA. His house in Gaza was bombed on Dec. 29th. Severely wounding his son and his mother. His son, Ibrahim died of his injuries in Cairo on Jan. 5th.

Sayed Baraka, Suleiman’s brother. He is in Gaza City.

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For more information: http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/16/pale...

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§Prayers for Palestine

by Grabow (Grabow [at] eworld3.net)

Fri, Jan 16, 2009 5:38PM

I listened to Suleiman Baraka today and was moved to tears. For his children he chose to point out Jupiter and Mars amidst a sky poisoned by the horrific machines of war. Despite unspeakable misfortune he has not allowed the malignant conflict that characterizes the area to shape him. Within the beauty of him pointing out the beauty of the planets lies the answer to the end of the conflict- it is the highest duty to deliver truth and beauty to our children and to shape their lives in the highest order. This will never be accomplished until revenge is swallowed whole by the transcendance of forgiveness. Israel is testing the souls of all Palestinians by this vengeful chest-thumping onslaught making the future of the area a nightmare of horrific killings and perrenial suffering. Those who resist hatred, as has Suleiman, have discovered the truest and most lasting state. My prayers and thoughts go out to him. I offer my condolences for the loss of his innocent child and I thank him for sharing his story on DemocracyNow. I hope that his wish to reunite with his family is answered. As love has conquered hatred within Suleiman let it be an example of the ultimate jihad.

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