One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Miguel, Anaheim, CA — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:13:29 GMT

I guess the moral of the story is don't throw rocks at people with guns. This clown is a victim all right...of his own stupidity.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

George Albert — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:18:45 GMT

Maybe the boys father should have been asked why he supports blowing up children going out to a pizza parlor; why Jews don't deserve the same human rights that other people have; why he would send his son out to be cannon fodder for the Islamist cowards that have as their goal stealing as much money as possible from the US and UN and EU so that they can be like their hero, American and child killer Yaser Arafat

This kid is a victim of Arab and Islamist brutality and of the Muslim Brotherhood

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Sifty , Burbank, California USA (the ones who save you) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:20:24 GMT

Gosh. Poor innocent violent little terrorist-to-be is shot before he can grow up to detonate himself in a pizzeria.
The horror of him not being able to throw rocks in the normal everyday blood-thirsty childish hope of injuring or killing Jews on the way home from school is so tragic!

Your "reporting" makes me sick to my stomach. I fully expect that one day you will be on trial for aiding and abetting a terrorist attack.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Joe New York — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:33:29 GMT

Please spare us this garbage

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Bernardo — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:48:29 GMT

Hopefully this former terrorist will be allowed to go to complete his education in Egypt. If you attack someone with a lesser weapon that has a greater weapon, this is what you get. I don't understand why the liberal media always expresses sympathy with these jokers.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Andy Gill — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:35:51 GMT

Maybe you could now do a piece on some of the Israeli kids who have been maimed by suicide bombers. Just for journalistic balance.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:55:43 GMT

Dear Mr.Fletcher, This is certainly a touching posting about Yusef Tayem. It is so very sad he is in a wheelchair as the result of being shot in the neck. I admire his determination to live each day and not dwell on the fact he is confined to the wheelchair. It is wonderful he is studying at the university and wants to work towards a masters degree in Cairo. Also it is great he got married too. I wish he could receive the batteries to operate that electric wheelchair, it just doesn't seem fair that he has the chair and can't use it. Of course it would be much better if he didn't need it at all and was able to walk. I hope you are able to visit with Yusef again because obviously you made him happy with the fact you made him smile. I hope he has more things to smile about in the future. Thank you for this posting Mr.Fletcher. Very touching. Peace to all!

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

John Y. San Jose,CA — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:56:23 GMT

Martin, Let me and my friends throw rocks at you and see how long you'd stand for it. The kids don't trow pebbles and throwing rocks at people is a form of execution in that part of the world (aka stoning). You can try to portray Yusef as the victim all you want, but he was part of the aggressors and triggered the actions taken against him. From the sound of his attitude, if was not shot and paralyzed today he would be one of those preying on Israeli civilians or part of the PA or Hamas thumbs that hold the Palestinians down for their own political gain.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

jim Thomas, Baker City, OR — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:47:19 GMT

Too bad he didn't read the rule book. Rule #1, when you take action against soldiers with guns, you shouldn't be surprised when you get shot. Victim, nothing. If he could have killed Isrealis, he would have and still would, if he got the opportunity.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Michael U,SF,CA — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:02:12 GMT

Matin Fletcher is a tool for terrorists. Those who murder innocent men, women, and children must face justice. Israel has every right to protect its citizens from blood thirsty terrorists like Yusuf Tayem {Curse his name}. Stone throwing is very dangerous and can cause death. This Yusuf is lucky he is alive, a man has a right to protect himself from a rock-throwing idiot. The so-called Palistinians should go to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, or Jordan where they came from and leave Israel alone.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Howard K — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:24:49 GMT

Well I cant say he didn't deserver this. Lets hope that more Terrorists learn there lesson this way. How dare he throw stones at the people of Israel. How dare he and his friends accuse the israelis of being Occupiers of there owen land. I do not feel sorry for this shlub. Fatah and Hamas are the same Family so please stop talking like they are different.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

anonymous — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:15:15 GMT

Ah yes, more liberal terrorist propaganda...

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Liz, Miramar, FL — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:43:32 GMT

someone who refuses to be a victim, under any circumstance. Yusuf, I hope soon your people will be able to live in their country and free to roam around without fear nor hardship. You are taking the first step in the foundation of this. Good luck!

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

del grommon — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:05:30 GMT

Dont throw stons,if you do be prepared to pay the price.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

William Wilsdon — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:32:21 GMT

These are the stories that need to be heard in America more often. Bigger headlines. The situation the palestinans are in is dire, and bleak. I understand Israels right to to exist, but was boys throwin rocks threatening that right? These are easy Questions to answer. And when the logical answer of NO they werent threatening that right is reached by more americans and people around the world. Only then will Israel be looked at as overbearing and then the question will become does Palestine have a right to exist? This notion that all of the people of palestine must suffer for the wrongdoings of any terrorist entity in Israel has to stop.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

eric, washington heights , ny — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:04:43 GMT

...its not an occupation, they (egypt) attacked Israel first , secondly the kid should not have thrown the rocks in the first place, and thirdly the reason why they have no power is because they send rockets for no reason to Israel harming there civilains, why dont you cover that story and turn that into a sympatetic plight! very biased reporter!

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Juan, Earth — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:11:45 GMT

It's a shame what blind hate does to people. The people who taught this boy and his peers to throw stones at the Israelis never thought of what would happen if the "evil" Israelis fought back. Now his own (democratically-elected) government is denying him basic humanitarian aid because of his family's political views...aid that they demand from a country they've set out to destroy. I would love the irony if it weren't so sad.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

IBrake Portsmouth, NH — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:20:48 GMT

Good Luck Yusuf my friend...All hope is with you

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Karla, Brooklyn, NY — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:34:07 GMT

How absolutely heartbreaking. I find it Ironic that Hamas claims to be so "Muslim" yet their actions towards Yusuf show the complete opposite of how Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) spoke about treating people. Mabrook Yusuf on your marriage. May God bless you and your wife with much happiness... and a land of peace and prosperity.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Mark Amador CA — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 06:26:59 GMT

Here is a hint. Don;t throw rocks are armed soldiers.
Pretty much a no brainer, mom and dad should have raised with more smarts than that.

Sorry I do not feel for this man, though perhaps through education he can learn just how valuable life can be and help others to fight off those that have oppressed him properly, and I do not mean the Isreali Government being the oppressor...

Look inside before going outside.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

julia, rancho cucamonga , ca — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:46:48 GMT

This young man is truly a saint in that he has not let his past experience deter him from accomplishing what he wants in life , as we all want is to be happy and loved. i for one admire his determination and his family for supporting him. I can't imagine what it must be like growing up in the middle east as the citizens there have to deal with enormous adversity and i'm sure its almost impossible to have a positive outlook on life with the constant fighting and political upheaval. I pray that this part of our world will one day have peace and be able to live without fear. he truly is a source of inspiration for those in that country's situation. May God Bless you and your family for the courage you have for not letting your physical disability discourage you but instead follow your heart to achieve your dreams.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Douglas Evans — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:42:14 GMT

You actually equate skateboarding with ethnic and political protesting--yes, those American teenagers with their skateboards better watch out for security and military personal shooting them; maybe a skateboarder will evolve to have a bomb strapped to his body while he skateboards into a crowd and destroys himself and the lives and dignity of those around him. Yusuf suffered a terrible blow, symptomatic of the racism and violence of the Middle East--but never measure the region's moral and human decay to American teenagers--that's ignorant reporting--

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Tukwila, Washington — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:05:53 GMT

Yussef has courage and a supportive father and family and a caring reporter. What he does not have is a unified Palestine. This future sociologist may impact how his people see themselves. Study and deep introspection may be Yussefs' way of sorting out the future for himself. Hats off to him and the future of Palestine. Thanks for the inspiring piece.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

piglizard420 — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:31:29 GMT

This just demnstrates once more that we are all the same. Doesn't matter where we are from, what our ethnicity is, or what language we speak.

Comeon, people ... let's work together, now. Divided we fall. United, we can defeat the political warmongers of our time.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

mags, greenville, nc — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:15:36 GMT

If some kind person in the US sent Yusuf a wheel chair perhaps we can send him batteries.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

edmund — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:39:06 GMT

Was the "and to go shopping" necessary? There has been a blockade on Gaza for 2 years, I would think even you would feel the need to buy goods after two years.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Markus Hagaard - Newark, Del — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:44:23 GMT

Can we get the point straight? It is important that we, as Americans, recognize and realize that the Israelis have been exercising ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians since 1948 and it is continuing now with the Wall they are building, better known as the apartheid wall. Let's not hide behind our silly masks and ignore this fact. We need to address the situation by "imposing our will" on the Israelis and the Palestinians to finalize, without useless rhetoric, a final and just peace for both an Israeli and a Palestinian States so that both people can live in true peace.

One Gazan who couldn't cross the border

Xchekker94, Falls Church, VA — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:55:18 GMT

How do you equate throwing stones at armed soldiers while walking home from school with riding a skateboard? This has to be the greatest spin EVER! Why is there no mention in your article about the hate that is drummed into Palestinian children EVERY DAY while in school?

Decent parents would teach their children to avoid situations that would put them in harm's way. Sadly, the Palestinian culture is such, that so-called "victims" like Yusuf Tayem are used as shining examples to aspire to. But, how much better would Yusuf's life been if he and the other children he was with that day, just ran home instead of throwing rocks?