From: Ali Abunimah
To: atc@npr.org
Subject: Ludden's report on departing Palestinians

August 21, 2001

Dear NPR News,

Thank you for Jennifer Ludden's excellent report on All Things Considered this afternoon about educated Palestinians, and Palestinian-Americans who returned after Oslo, who are now leaving the occupied territories after years of trying in vain to make a contribution to the development of Palestine against the overwhelming obstacles of Israeli occupation and Palestinian Authority mismanagement and corruption, and now the occupation army's brutal repression.

Only a small number of diaspora Palestinians, those with American or European passports, or those who managed to hold on to Israeli identity cards while living abroad, have the privilege of returning to live in their homeland, while millions of others remain in forced exile. It is truly sad when these people, who went with the best intentions feel that their efforts have been futile.

Ludden's report conveyed the real dilemmas individuals face between a need to lead a normal life, and the desire and duty to remain in the homeland when all of Israel's efforts are directed at driving Palestinians out.

Sincerely,

Ali Abunimah
http://www.abunimah.org