The Miracle of Kindness: What Chris Hedges learned from the Palestinians
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- CC: 🇺🇸 🇪🇸 🇹🇷
Evil, even in the darkest moments, is impotent before the miracle of human kindness. This miracle defies prejudices and hatreds. It crosses cultures and religions. It lies at the core of faith. Take a brief journey through the eyes of American, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges to Jerusalem, Gaza, and Iraq, and discover the sacred bonds that make us human.
Subtitles: 🇺🇸The Miracle of Kindness 🇪🇸El milagro de la bondad humana 🇹🇷Nezâketin Mucizesi
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Script:
I studied Arabic four hours a day, five days a week, with my Palestinian professor, Omar Othman, in Jerusalem. We met in my house on Mt. Scopus overlooking the old city every morning. He would arrive with his books and something from his garden, olives, peaches, apricots or a bag of pistachios he would patiently unshell as we worked and then push towards me. Yom fil mishmish, we would say as we ate his apricots, literally meaning tomorrow will be good times and we will eat apricots, but given the long tragedy that has befallen the Palestinians, this phrase is converted into a wistful tomorrow will never come.
Omar, a polyglot who spoke German, Hebrew, and English fluently and who had worked as a teacher in the court of King Hussein in Jordan, was determined I would not only learn Arabic, but the politesse and formalities of Palestinian society. He drilled into me what to say when someone offered me food - Yislamu Edek - may God bless your hands, or when a women entered the room -- nowar el beit - you light up the house - or when someone brought me a small cup of thick, sugary Arabic coffee -- ‘away dime. A phrase that meant, may we always drink coffee together in an occasion like this.
Omar had a fondness for the Lebanese child singer Remi Bandali, a fondness I did not share, but on his insistence, I memorized the lyrics to several of her songs. He told long involved shaggy dog jokes in Arabic and made me commit them to memory, although sometimes the humor was lost on me.
...
In March of 1991 I was in Basra, Iraq during the Shiite uprising as a reporter for The New York Times. I had entered Kuwait with the Marine Corps and then left them behind to cover the fighting in Basra. I was taken prisoner by the Iraqi Republican Guard, who in the chaos - whole army units had defected to join the rebels - had ripped their distinguishing patches off their uniforms so as not to be identified with the regime of Saddam Hussein. I was studiously polite, because of Omar, with my interrogators. I swiftly struck up conversations with my guards. My facility in Arabic rendered me human. And when I ran out of things to say I told the long, shaggy dog jokes taught to me by Omar. Perhaps it was my accented Arabic, but my guards found these jokes unfailingly amusing.
I spent a week as a prisoner. I slept and ate with Iraqi soldiers, developed friendships with some, including the major who commanded the unit, and there were several moments when, trapped in heavy fighting with the rebels, they shielded and protected me. I would hear them whisper at night about what would happen to me once I was turned over to the secret police or Mukhabarat, something they and I knew was inevitable and dreaded.
That day came. I was flown on a helicopter to Baghdad and handed to the Mukhabarat, whose dead eyes and cold demeanor reminded me of the East German Stasi. There was no bantering now. I was manhandled and pushed forcefully into a room and left there without food or water for 24 hours.
I awoke the next day to plaintive call to prayer, the adhaan, as the first pale light crept over the city.
“God is greater. There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of God.”
I went to the window and saw the heavily armed guards in the courtyard below. I did not know if I would live or die.
At dawn the women and often children climb to the flat rooves in Baghdad to bake bread in rounded clay ovens. I was famished. I called out in Arabic to these women. “I am an American journalist. I am a captive. I have not eaten.”
A mother handed fresh bread to her young son who scampered across the rooves to feed me. A few hours later I was turned over to the International Committee for the Red Cross and driven to Jordan and freedom.
Where are they now, these men and women who showed me such compassion, who ignored the role my own country had played in their oppression, to see me as a one of them? How can I replay this solidarity and empathy? How can I live to be like them? I owe Omar, I owe all these people, some of whom I did not know, the miracle of human kindness - and my life.
Thank you for watching! Please do your part to bring about peace by liking, subscribing, and sharing. Here’s a link to another video by Chris Hedges on Zaytuna College's RUclips channel in which he discusses #Palestine and the #Palestinian issue: ruclips.net/user/live27JIhjf_0JU?si=DnLJFnOEvTJuuuAi. Make sure to also like, subscribe, and share.
This man is a national treasure. The fact that he is essentially blacklisted in his own country is a tragedy.
That very fact tells it all, though. Actually does sound rather like… a medal!
"Prophets are scorned in their own time."
May I be your friend?
In the Quran and The Bible it's clear that Jesus is in heaven. But when it comes to Mohammed it's unknown what happened to him after death. So if he is in hell whoever believes him and his religion are going to hell...right. Think Muslims...
I love Chris Hedges. He is one in a million. You made me cry for seeing the people everywhere in the world as human, and not as the children of a lesser God.
He made me cry too... thankful that there is still one journalist who can make me cry with empathy instead of oppressive sadness and fear - which is the daily bread of Western media's propaganda of hate that is implicit to that of our rotted-inside leaders.
Same here from Nova Scotia in Canada.@@goLookGoRead
If he cared about Palestinians, wouldn’t he want Hamas gone?
You know not what of whatnot speak. Of course these are people. A mixture of "good" and evil. Just like any people. This while children of a lesser business is ignorant and an insult.
@@Sedgewise47Hamas are the only ones who are willing to fight back. They can hit the IDF, Palestinians can't. The people of Gaza have nothing left and live horribly oppressed lives because of Israels blockade. What do you expect?
I think it is the virtue shared by most Muslims. I was born and lived utill 20 years old in the biggest Muslim region in China. But Myself is Han Chinese, not a Muslim. The hospitality, the kindness, the cleaness and the hurmor of the Muslims I saw and felt in those years had great impact on me. I would love to go back to my hometown and live among those lovely people again!
I agree 100% but because of media lies most people dont know these things about muslims infact anything, all they know are lies
As an Arab palestinian-american, thank you for telling this amazing story, Mr. Hedges. God bless you always, الله دائما يباركلك
most of America is on your side despite what mainstream news says. Free Palestine.
Why not just proudly say just “American”?
@@GnarledSage Good question! Safe to say I am a proud American, I have lived all my life in this lovely land and I am eternally grateful for the opportunities this land has provided me and my family. But I must never forget my roots, as we all should. I am proud of both nations and cultures that forge my ethno-national identity, that is all :D
@@GnarledSagePourquoi vous ne posez pas la même question aux, franco-maroco-britanuco-israelo-americains?
@@baku_m_salti3128You are right
I can't help but cry after seeing this , I'm Palestinian and went through a lot of this. ❤
In the darkest hours of humanity in Gaza, this moment of human kindness is much needed. ❤
A different picture of Middle Easterners than what Western Media and Hollywood portray.
They are some of the most generous people on earth.
Total opposite of their greedy, land-stealing oppressors
{...Western Media and Hollywood...} are owned by whom ???🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 No surprise !!!
@@promark5317it’s really amazing how they r the complete opposite it just makes no sense. The Jews were persecuted everywhere they went around the world nobody wanted them. Then they got to Palestine and the Palestinians took them in with open arms and this is how they thanked them i will never understand how people could b so evil
@@ceekay5267 you just answered your question......the reason for their perennial persecution lies within their behaviour as you can witness with Palestine currently.
And yet they refuse to offer Palestinian refugees sanctuary.
If world leaders were like Chris Hedges peace would be a breeze. Unfortunately Evil Reigns. GOD bless you Chris.
Chris everyday you honor your teacher, and the people who were kind to you by relentlessly speaking truth to power and working towards spreading humanity. I thank you as I’m positive so many others do.
Hedges is one of world's best journalists, and a person of absolute integrity
"what made us human-being, is empathy towards all.." - rafiqkie
Dear Chris, Dear People of the Emir-Stein Center: thank you for your immense Humanity and Humility ! I fully share Chris’ feelings because I had the same wonderful experience when I was studying Arabic and Middle Eastern studies at the American University of Beirut ten years ago. My Lebanese friends and professors were like a family. Their generosity and hospitality left me eternally grateful. My experience of living and studying in Lebanon changed my life and outlook of the Arab world and other non Western nations, not to mention their beautiful and elegant language and rich culture, gastronomy and history.
Thank you. all the love from Lebanon.
❤
I don't have words to express how this made me feel. Thank you for this 😢
Lesson learned: ignorance promotes hate, knowledge promotes tolerance.
Free Palestine!
Free Palestine from Hamas
@steve6012
Probably u shd listen a few times to what Chris has got to say...
Can't put it better than that!
@@steve6012 free the world from the likes of you who have eyes but do not see and ears but do not hear and hearts filled with hypocrisy and double standards.
@@steve6012 Free Gaza from Hamas and free West Bank from Israeli occupation . Free Palestine from Israeli oppression .
I love the combination of storytelling, truth telling and pleasant visuals and tone, God be pleased.
It's so sad how separated we are as humans, but how much in common we all really have. Being humble and having a respect for other people and their culture goes a long way.
Dang, I was already a supporter of Chris Hedges, but this was an amazing tale!
A living legend. Best reporter on the world!
Ok im egyptian but im crying half way through the video, why we cant always be kind to each others like this
Chris, at this moment in time, when faith in humanity is all but lost, you come along and restore the faith by your own humanity. Thank you!
A very unbiased channel. İ like this channel much
Chris you’ve made me cry. I understand and feel exactly what you say I’m from those area. Thank God for beings like you ❤❤
Thanks chris
A bridge between civilisations
Truth teller. Educated. Erudite. Brave. Courageous. Honest.
True human being. Loving. Truthful. Compassionate.
What a brilliant and gorgeous visual telling of Chris Hedges unbelievable life story! His message and work deserves to be seen heard and read by everyone in every language!
Bucket List:
- Hug Chris Hedges
Such a moving story! Yes, People in Middle East are so nice and warm heated if you respect them and get to know them. They will feed you even if they don't have much to eat themselves. Don't get fooled by politicians using religion to divide us all. Our primary religion as humans is humanity. That is what we ALL are.
Yes the poorest will share unlike wealthy who never have enough or get enough to ever share ..
There is no true religion except Islam, and Islam commands us to treat strangers with kindness, and this explains the kindness of the people of the Middle East to foreigners because of the teachings of their religion.
Delivered with so much passion , so truthful that it makes you cry.
Thank you Christopher for shining some light in these dark times. 🙏
Amazing to see Chris Hedges pm this page. Keep it up!
This was an emotional watch. Chris is a phenomenal story teller; no wonder he is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.
I love the way you told the story. It feels like poetry. I also have a story of kindness of this people. They not knowingly saved my life. The cruelty towards them hurts me a lot.
Thank you Chris for continuing to keep us in touch with our humanity
You make me cry Chris on showing what real kindness is and how it opens Hearts! Thank you. We American s have much to learn
Let there be peace. End colonialism. End war.
Free Palestine.
I don’t think that’s the answer. Let the Jews have a home. How about that. The Muslims have safe homeland from Morocco to Pakistan.
@@nofurtherwest3474Pakistan belongs to Pakistanis. Morocco belongs to Moroccans. Who the hell are you to tell someone to give away their homeland to someone else? Give your damn home to some rando.
@@nofurtherwest3474 Jew are welcome, Zionists are not
@@ayhayuba3969 They should share with Muslim brethren. Don’t be greedy, those borders were drawn by Europeans anywho its not like they earned it
@@Russel_at_whatever a bit like saying “Arabs are welcome but Muslims aren’t”😊
May Allah reward you brother for this beautiful and honest experience ❤
Your demon Muslim moon god only rewards with evil.
Pray to the true Catholic Triune God
What lovely, fresh take. From an Ashkenazi Jew who found the love of Jesus, may all know peace.
thank you Chris Hedges
Thank you for reminding us of our humanity 🙏
That was a good message. I hope many people can understand and act this way towards one another.
You owe them your voice
You owe them the truth.
Dear dear Chris. I am a 78 year old Jew who has been to Palestine with mental health professionals. And I had a dear young friend in Gaza. May he live. And you are a brilliant man of deep heart. I follow you closely and always with deep gratitude. With loving solidarity, Susan Gutwill
Susan care to chat? New France here ...I practice the perfected Yewish religion...
With its temple/ altar/ tabernacle/ priesthood / Holy Sacrifice /:Divine presance....
We are fortunate to get to know so many wonderful people all around the world who are raising their voice without any fear, for the humanity and compassion.
this was beautiful,Chris. thanks for the upload
A moving story. I sometimes feel animals, in their own little way are more compassionate than humans.
Oh, definitely-! Cats, Dogs, Parrots, even Crows. Crows are more intelligent than most people these days. 😮
They are
My brother Chris that what Islam taught us to treat others regardless who they are, شكرًا لك وأرجو ان يسمعك الآخرين أبناء جلدتك.
Ive come to see things MUCH differently now in the mideast. I no longer believe all the propaganda saying one side is evil, one side is good. Very sobering story you shared, Chris.
This was great. I never knew that Chris Hedges went through this.
Beautiful
Nothing like a first-hand experience with a seasoned journalist who can speak the language. Wonderful vignettes in dire circumstances.
This is very beautiful. It bears great truths, and the truth, even when it tells of pain, has a profound beauty. Thank you and may all humans seek the wisdom to bring compassion to their dealings with the world.
شكرا لك على هذا السرد الجميل ! الله بعث لك اناسا طيبين ىأنك طيب وروحك نظيفة! شكرا على صدقك وعرفانك بالجميل 🙏 انا متأكدة انهم كذلك لم ينسوك ولازالوا يحكون عنك وعن طيبوبتك وأدبك! دمت سالما
One of our greatest moral voices, thank you Chris.
Beautifully told and thank you for this view of what true kindness can be. I was overwhelmed and conflicted and cried because of the simultaneous knowledge within me of what is happening in Gaza and to the innocent Palestinians. I am ashamed of being an American and I am ashamed of President Biden. It is so incomprehensible that the US is funding this slaughter that I live day-to-day with this cognitive dissonance that continues to depress me seemingly without end. You provided at least one clear light.
Sleepy Joe is a Catholic Zionist who told bibi, that when he went to Israel promised bombs and support and devoted more to Israelis than Americans because 6 of his grandchildren are Jewish (google).
Thank you emir stein to always speak the truth..
May the almighty always bless you all to more wisdom and insight.. to a place closer to the almighty in the spaceless and timeless dimension, ameen
i am 45 and i grow older day by day. What happens in Gaza now fastaned it. And i cry more as if in my 70s ... Thank you for this Mr Hedges. We need this stories more
There are many problems in this world that can be solved, only compassion can solve many of them. Free Palestine
free Palestine from Hamas. I agree
@@benjaminraspael5504 Yes Free Palestine from neonazis zionists, Hamas are living in their land because they are Palestinians
Ma sha ALLAH, shukran jiddan for the good you sent to us and thank you for the upload
What has the muslim demon moon god have to do with this.
Chris' message brings tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing. The TRUE miracle is our God-given ability to bring out "the best" from one another, whatever our definition of "the best" is. For some, their best is to maximize profit regardless of human costs. For others, their best is to kill the most people in the most effective ways. I am grateful Chris' best is his ability to see kindness. Only clear eyes can see human kindness. Only pure hearts can see God of Mercy.
So beautiful, Chris!!! Thank you, for bringing the beauty to light. Their gifts were honored by you.
I love this channel. Peace to all people and all religions. We're all just one big family.
Merci Chris Hedges!❤ cela fait chaud au coeur. Que Dieu bénisse tous êtres personnes qui ont un coeur ouvert, sensible et rempli d'humanité. Salam, Shalom et Paix pour l'humanité entière✌
Bless you, my eye watered… the Middle East the land of generosity ❤
Thank you
That is a super nice message amids all negativeness generalisations dehumanisation .. What kindness can create can not be equalled by anything..We need more of such beautiful people ♡
I was so touched by this story, there is so much heart and humanity in what he says
Thank you Chris, that was a deeply moving story.
Thank you Chris Hedges. You represent the 'human being" we aspire to become. Thank you!
Chris Hedges: a rare spark of American decency.
👍🏽👌🏾
May God Almighty reward you and save the oppressed Palestinians!
Chris Hedges, thought provoking and human as always. Great message
Such a beautiful narration that made me teary eyed. Kindness begets kindness.
"If you have to choose between being kind and being right choose being kind and you will always be right." -Guatama Buddha
That was so heartfelt and wonderful it's made me cry, thank you for making these people live in our hearts
Ugh Chris never misses. Love his work!
Thank you so much for this beautiful story of human connection. We shelter on this globe together.
Chris, you are an amazing man with so much compassion. The world needs more men like you. 🙏❤️
Thanks for your story. It moved me to tears. There are more people like Omar on this planet. Allah will lead you to them as a sign of his mercy.
Chris: I do profoundly thank you for your true emotions, words of compassion, meaningfulness and truth. I do profoundly thank you for integrity, courage and wisdom.
beautiful! thank you for sharing chris! my heart is broken but people like you and the up risings around the world help. ❤✊🏾
This is one of the most profound films I have watched on RUclips. Thank you for your honesty and your insights….
A wonderful story Chris.
Absolutely heart warming! You made me cry!
I wish I had something witty or deeply profound to say. I can't think of anything as I try to hold back my tears. Chis you are a beautiful human being. May all of us walk away from your experience with a little more compassion & understanding for our fellow human.
I felt such a deep connection with my Abrahamic brothers, u made me cry. all these years I've always wondered why in Islam we are told to love our Abrahamic brothers- when in reality they don't love us back, all they show is hatred and humiliation to the Muslims. Now I realize, we are also loved by our Christians and Jewish brothers and sisters, I just don't know them yet. Thank u.
Yes, there are love and prayers between us 🤲❣️
Don't twist Quran for your flattering.
love from Pakistan
What a powerful and simple lesson. Thank you Chris Hedges
I love Chris Hedges, a kind and good soul, and full of wisdom.
So touching! What a great man!
Do unto others what you want them to do unto you.. ❤
Thank you Chris for your personal story. It is THE lesson.❤
May Allah guide and protect you Chris. Amin
Thank you Chris for this touching story
The best way you can thank these people who were kind to you is make a prayer for them. If they are alive may they be in Gods protection and be safe and if they have died may they be rewarded for their kindness and be in Heaven. Ameen
And God bless you too
And how you woke upto the sound of Azaan being called which directed you to the window, so that you could see the mum baking bread...eventually you got fed with bread and human compassion...
"Allah is Great" thats is indeed true!
Im a muslimah. Nothing but respect to you my brother in humanity 🙏🏽
My condolences for your affliction.
Incredibly inspired story, beautifully told 👏 Chris Hedges has always been a critical voice for truth on the side of justice. Now is a crucial time to pay attention. Chris doesn't just report, he contextualizes. This matters.
Chris Hedges, I admire you so much, but more so for this video. From Mexico City, be well my friend.
Thank you for support
This story, if nothing else, shows the humanity of people, all people, if only they consider that the others are just as human as they are.
Thank you for the amazing story and reminding us to humanize