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Today
at 5:00am I was awakened by what sounded like huge trucks, but
when I looked out the window I saw several tanks. Half an hour
later the Israeli soldiers rang the bell – we did not answer –
then I heard them coming up the steps (they obviously broke in
the main door). They pounded the door to the house, and my husband
opened it, to find endless huge guns pointed at us. They pushed
the door open and distributed themselves throughout the house
and office. Over 50 heavily armed soldiers were now in the office
and home (which are adjacent). We asked what they wanted and they
told us to shut up and sit down. I explained that I was American
they said that they did not care what I was. I insisted that they
leave the house and told them as an American I protest to what
they are doing. They said "this is no worse than what your
country is doing in Afghanistan." I told them to use the
steps and the roof if they insist on staying and to get out of
the house and office. They said "shut up and sit down, we
do what we want wherever we want." I got my passport out
and asked for the commanding officer.
The
officer said that they are thinking about leaving. I asked when,
and he said "soon." They started ripping the curtains
and breaking things. I asked them not to do that and gave them
an ashtray to put out their cigarettes instead of the floor. One
took the ashtray from me and threw it in the hallway. At that
point I realized they are out of control. I went to the phone
to call the American Consul. 3 soldiers attacked me, one pushing
me, one twisting my arm, and the other taking the phone away from
me.
I
went to the office to get my computer, and they kept on pushing
me, poking me with the guns and telling me to get back in the
house. I started screaming "I cannot believe you are doing
this, don't you realize I am American!?" The commanding officer
asked them to leave me alone and gave permission for me to get
my laptop. They started laughing and calling me Bush.
As
I was getting my laptop I heard a crashing noise, I ran to the
house and found my husband on the floor with 3 guns pointed at
him. I screamed for the commanding officer, who came and pushed
them away. They were everywhere and doing what they felt like
doing, including urinating on the floor.
I
went to the kitchen to get coffee and found olive oil spilled
all over the place. They were just being vulgar and uncivilized,
and became extremely annoyed when I complained about the barbaric
behavior.
The
commanding officer took me in my bedroom where 4 soldiers were
sitting and asked me about some buildings. I told him that most
of the
houses around us are full of children. One said, "Area A
has no children".
I
kept on trying to make phone calls from different phones only
to get more physically abused and have the phone taken away from
me and immediately taking the battery out. Then I asked to go
to the bathroom and had a mobile in my robe pocket. I called some
officials while the soldiers broke in the bathroom and tried to
take the phone. Within a half hour they got a phone order to clear
out of the house and office, leaving the place in shambles.
As
soon as they left I tried to talk to the Consul General, but his
mobile was picked up by voice mail. I left a message informing
him of what took place. I also called his office and insisted
that I talk to him personally. They put me on the phone with the
American Citizens Services section, Ms. Victoria Coffineau (Chief
of Section). She told me I was one of dozens of American citizens
making such complaints. The details of the disturbing phone call
and response will follow soon to help other Americans in understanding
what our offices abroad are about and what we actually get for
our tax dollars...and how we allow ourselves to be treated by
so called allies.
That
number of tanks is growing by the second. I have to get the message
to you while I can. I will try to write later. They are trying
to kill Yasser
Arafat. I can see it from my window.
God
help the innocent. And help Americans in seeing the truth.
Maha
Sbitani is a Palestinian-American living in Ramallah, next to
Yasser Arafat's compound.
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