CPTnet
10 August 2005

HEBRON: Jamal Abu Haikel, his life and death

By Lorin Peters

Last month I attended my first Palestinian wake. Jamal Abu Haikel died at
home on July 9th. He was 75.

Jamal's home lies above the Muslim cemetery opposite the Old City in
Hebron. When he died, the males in the Abu Haikel family wrapped him in a
carpet, carried his body to the cemetery, and buried him. The women
inside the house read Koran passages and recited traditional prayers for
the dead.

One hundred or more years ago, the Abu Haikel family bought the crest of
the hill in central Hebron known as Tel Rumeida, facing the Tomb of
Abraham and Sarah. Jamal started building his own house on this clan
property in 1948.

Several decades later, archaeologists claimed that Tel Rumeida might be
the site of King David's first palace. In 1984, a group of Israeli
settlers brought in seven mobile homes and mounted them directly over the
diggings. And the Israeli army moved into the neighborhood to protect the
settlers.

According to the Abu Haikel family, the settlers offered Jamal 20 million
dollars, plus passports to the country of their choice, for their land.
Jamal turned them down. The family homestead is not for sale, at any price.

So the harassment began: Settlers threw stones, broke windows, dumped
garbage, blocked doorways, uprooted olive trees, severed grapevines,
attacked children; and beat adults.

Several families abandoned their homes. But at least three families are
tenaciously resisting the harassment, even though they now have to scramble
up and down stone terraces and ladders through neighbors' backyards to get
in or out of their own homes.

Jamal's son Hani told us that, two months ago, his father had said, "I
feel a deep peace from CPT. I trust them." Hani was surprised. His
father had always been suspicious of all foreigners, and even of most
Palestinians.

When a Palestinian is buried, stones are arranged in a crescent. His
father had bought special stones from Jerusalem for his burial. "As a
Palestinian, I am not allowed to travel to Jerusalem, so I will bring
Jerusalem with me," he said.

Two years ago, his father had secretly purchased graves at the top of the
cemetery, overlooking the Old City. "I want my spirit to enjoy the view."
When Hani found out his father bought six, he asked why. "Eventually, the
settlers will kill all of us."

When the settlers heard that Jamal Abu Haikel had died, they threw a party
to taunt the family. When they saw Hani, they threw chocolates and bon-bons
at him. Hani told us, "When my enemy dies, I show a proper respect. I do
not rejoice in his death." And then he told us a story about the Prophet.

An army opposing Mohammed was outnumbered, and surrendered. Mohammed's
commander ran his sword through the opposing commander. Mohammed was
outraged. "Why did you do that? He was our opponent, but still deserving
of life." Even though this officer was his most gifted leader in battle,
Mohammed stripped him of his rank and forbid him from all forms of
military service.