Interview with Sulaiman Al Hamri
Palestinian Foreign Relations Coordinator for CFP
May 9th, 2007
Q1. Why are you doing this?
Sulaiman: We are doing this because we believe there is no military solution for the Israeli Palestinian conflict, and that nonviolence will lead to a nonviolent reaction from the other side.
Q2. Memorial Day in the United States commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service. Why have you chosen Memorial Day to paint a billboard promoting Peace through non-violence?
Sulaiman: We have chosen this day to give living people and pioneers the chance to be honored when they are alive rather than honoring them when they are under the earth.
Q3. Sulaimaan: Haven't the Jews and the Muslims been fighting for thousands of years? Isn't it crazy to think that peace can be found?
Jews and Muslims have been fighting each other for the great dreams which were in their minds, and also in the minds of some people now. We believe we have to fight nonviolently against this great dream and to fight in the same way for the small hope.
Q4. Who are the children and why have you invited them to paint the sign?
Sulaiman: The Palestinian children are the sons of the Palestinian martyrs, orphans, children of very poor families, children form the far country, children who used to see the Israelis as soldiers and occupiers. We will bring them to let the Israeli children meet them and to feel their suffering, also to give them the chance to know that there are Israeli children who are willing to live in peace with them.
Q5. What can Americans do to help bring Peace to the Holy Land?
Sulaiman: American people can do more than any other people on the earth, because the existence of the violence depends on their support to Israel and its settlers who are occupying the lands in west bank, also the US political support has very big impact on the current suffering of the Palestinians and of the innocent Jewish people. U.S. people can support the Palestinians the same as Israeli people; U.S. people can influence policy makers in the U.S.A. to force them to make pressure on Israel to be committed to the UN resolutions. U.S. people can support the poor children in the holy land to allow them to go to schools and to wear humble clothes. U.S. people can send their money to support Palestinian Israeli joint activates to teach them about the benefits of peace.
Q6: Tell us a little bit about yourself:
My name is SULAIMAN AL HAMRI, I am the person who started this group, I am a member of FATAH leadership in Bethlehem district. I have an Masters in American studies; my thesis specialized in the Impact of American Interest Groups on policy makers. I was the founder and leader of the Joint Activities Committee which was started in 2001, then I started Combatants for Peace. I have been to the U.S.A. several times. My last visit was sponsored by the Jewish organization, which called Brit Tzadek V Shalom; this visit involved a 5 week speaking tour in more than 24 Cities. I have also participated in several activities in Europe and in Palestine.
my email ssafi19@yahoo.com
my cell number is : 00972 599 211 363
Please google my name, Sulaiman al Hamri, you will find many articles in different languages, most of them are great and good, very few of them are full of hate and discrimination. We are not prophets but we are trying to do something in order to have forgiveness for our bad behaviors.