First they came for Palestinian homeland (1967), but we were not Palestinians and therefore were not concerned.
Then they came for the broken bones of young Palestinians (1987), but we were not young Palestinians and therefore were not concerned.
Then they went on the rampage in Jenin refugee camp (2002), but we were not refugees and therefore were not concerned.
Then they came for the demolition of Hezbollah, wreaking havoc on Lebanon (2006), but we were not Hezbollah and therefore were not concerned.
Then they came for the strangulating of Gaza Strip (2007), but we were not Gazans and therefore were not concern.
Then they came for the savage slaughter of the children, women and civilians of Gaza (2009). We felt then that we are all Palestinians and there is no one, among world leaders, left to speak for us...
[This short poem is based on the original lines of Pastor Neimoller whose poem was written in the aftermath of the Second World War II as a reaction to the "silent majority" in Germany who looked in silence on Hitler atrocities.]
Ruth Tenne was born and bought up in Israel by staunch Zionist parents who were among the founders of the socialist Kibbutzim's movement. She severed as a conscript in the Israeli army during the 1956 Sinai War and as a reservist in the 1967 Six Days War. She is currently an active member of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Camden- Abu Dis Friendship Association (CADFA), and Jews for Justice for Palestinians (JFJFP).
The original version of pastor Neimoller
(From the forward of Children of Light and Darkness, 1944)
When Hitler attacked the Jews I was not a Jew therefore not concerned. When Hitler attacked the Catholics I was not Catholic and therefore not concerned, and when Hitler attacked the union I was not a member of the union and I was not concerned. Then Hitler attacked me and the Protestant church and there was nobody left to be concerned.
Churches urge 'resistance' to Israeli settlements