Suha Abu Khdeir

The dangers of living in a Palestinian territory blindsided Suha Abu Khdeir one peaceful day.  “Mom I am going,” said her son as he left the house that morning heading to the neighborhood mosque.  He was waiting on a stone wall outside the mosque when two young men came over to him.  Witnesses tried to help when they heard his cries for help, but the abductors were too fast.  Days later they found him in a nearby forest burned to death.  The crime was retaliation killing by seven Jewish Isrealis for an unrelated incident.  Three of the seven were arrested and found guilty.  Crippled by grief and sorrow.  Suha joined the Parent’s Circle to grieve her son with others who had lost a loved one.  Over time, she became a leader in the female forum, a group that continues to influence peaceful resolution in the region.  Two years ago Suha spoke during international Women’s Day with six others, some Isreali and some Palestinian, to spread the message of non-violence and reconcillation.