The Miracle of Kindness: What Chris Hedges learned from the Palestinians

CC: 🇺🇸 🇪🇸 🇹🇷
Evil, even in the darkest moments, is impotent before the miracle of human kindness. This miracle defies prejudices and hatreds. It crosses cultures and religions. It lies at the core of faith. Take a brief journey through the eyes of American, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges to Jerusalem, Gaza, and Iraq, and discover the sacred bonds that make us human.
Subtitles: 🇺🇸The Miracle of Kindness 🇪🇸El milagro de la bondad humana 🇹🇷Nezâketin Mucizesi
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Script:
I studied Arabic four hours a day, five days a week, with my Palestinian professor, Omar Othman, in Jerusalem. We met in my house on Mt. Scopus overlooking the old city every morning. He would arrive with his books and something from his garden, olives, peaches, apricots or a bag of pistachios he would patiently unshell as we worked and then push towards me. Yom fil mishmish, we would say as we ate his apricots, literally meaning tomorrow will be good times and we will eat apricots, but given the long tragedy that has befallen the Palestinians, this phrase is converted into a wistful tomorrow will never come.
Omar, a polyglot who spoke German, Hebrew, and English fluently and who had worked as a teacher in the court of King Hussein in Jordan, was determined I would not only learn Arabic, but the politesse and formalities of Palestinian society. He drilled into me what to say when someone offered me food - Yislamu Edek - may God bless your hands, or when a women entered the room -- nowar el beit - you light up the house - or when someone brought me a small cup of thick, sugary Arabic coffee -- ‘away dime. A phrase that meant, may we always drink coffee together in an occasion like this.
Omar had a fondness for the Lebanese child singer Remi Bandali, a fondness I did not share, but on his insistence, I memorized the lyrics to several of her songs. He told long involved shaggy dog jokes in Arabic and made me commit them to memory, although sometimes the humor was lost on me.
...
In March of 1991 I was in Basra, Iraq during the Shiite uprising as a reporter for The New York Times. I had entered Kuwait with the Marine Corps and then left them behind to cover the fighting in Basra. I was taken prisoner by the Iraqi Republican Guard, who in the chaos - whole army units had defected to join the rebels - had ripped their distinguishing patches off their uniforms so as not to be identified with the regime of Saddam Hussein. I was studiously polite, because of Omar, with my interrogators. I swiftly struck up conversations with my guards. My facility in Arabic rendered me human. And when I ran out of things to say I told the long, shaggy dog jokes taught to me by Omar. Perhaps it was my accented Arabic, but my guards found these jokes unfailingly amusing.
I spent a week as a prisoner. I slept and ate with Iraqi soldiers, developed friendships with some, including the major who commanded the unit, and there were several moments when, trapped in heavy fighting with the rebels, they shielded and protected me. I would hear them whisper at night about what would happen to me once I was turned over to the secret police or Mukhabarat, something they and I knew was inevitable and dreaded.
That day came. I was flown on a helicopter to Baghdad and handed to the Mukhabarat, whose dead eyes and cold demeanor reminded me of the East German Stasi. There was no bantering now. I was manhandled and pushed forcefully into a room and left there without food or water for 24 hours.
I awoke the next day to plaintive call to prayer, the adhaan, as the first pale light crept over the city.
“God is greater. There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of God.”
I went to the window and saw the heavily armed guards in the courtyard below. I did not know if I would live or die.
At dawn the women and often children climb to the flat rooves in Baghdad to bake bread in rounded clay ovens. I was famished. I called out in Arabic to these women. “I am an American journalist. I am a captive. I have not eaten.”
A mother handed fresh bread to her young son who scampered across the rooves to feed me. A few hours later I was turned over to the International Committee for the Red Cross and driven to Jordan and freedom.
Where are they now, these men and women who showed me such compassion, who ignored the role my own country had played in their oppression, to see me as a one of them? How can I replay this solidarity and empathy? How can I live to be like them? I owe Omar, I owe all these people, some of whom I did not know, the miracle of human kindness - and my life.

[@EmirSteinCenter]

Thank you for watching! Please do your part to bring about peace by liking, subscribing, and sharing. Here’s a link to another video by Chris Hedges on Zaytuna College's KZbin channel in which he discusses #Palestine and the #Palestinian issue: kzbin.info27JIhjf_0JU?si=DnLJFnOEvTJuuuAi. Make sure to also like, subscribe, and share.

[@MrGetzenwithit]

This man is a national treasure. The fact that he is essentially blacklisted in his own country is a tragedy.

[@fabiengerard8142]

That very fact tells it all, though. Actually does sound rather like… a medal!

[@donhuber9131]

"Prophets are scorned in their own time."

[@excellentenglishcenter3312]

May I be your friend?

[@Jesus_SOG_]

In the Quran and The Bible it's clear that Jesus is in heaven. But when it comes to Mohammed it's unknown what happened to him after death. So if he is in hell whoever believes him and his religion are going to hell...right. Think Muslims...

[@faner5302]

I think it is the virtue shared by most Muslims. I was born and lived utill 20 years old in the biggest Muslim region in China. But Myself is Han Chinese, not a Muslim. The hospitality, the kindness, the cleaness and the hurmor of the Muslims I saw and felt in those years had great impact on me. I would love to go back to my hometown and live among those lovely people again!

[@publicpm8809]

I agree 100% but because of media lies most people dont know these things about muslims infact anything, all they know are lies

[@nazaninmansouri]

I love Chris Hedges. He is one in a million. You made me cry for seeing the people everywhere in the world as human, and not as the children of a lesser God.

[@goLookGoRead]

He made me cry too... thankful that there is still one journalist who can make me cry with empathy instead of oppressive sadness and fear - which is the daily bread of Western media's propaganda of hate that is implicit to that of our rotted-inside leaders.

[@robertmoore1654]

Same here from Nova Scotia in Canada.@@goLookGoRead

[@Sedgewise47]

If he cared about Palestinians, wouldn’t he want Hamas gone?

[@Go2God]

You know not what of whatnot speak. Of course these are people. A mixture of "good" and evil. Just like any people. This while children of a lesser business is ignorant and an insult.

[@jaysonclark2203]

​@@Sedgewise47Hamas are the only ones who are willing to fight back. They can hit the IDF, Palestinians can't. The people of Gaza have nothing left and live horribly oppressed lives because of Israels blockade. What do you expect?

[@baku_m_salti3128]

As an Arab palestinian-american, thank you for telling this amazing story, Mr. Hedges. God bless you always, الله دائما يباركلك

[@promark5317]

most of America is on your side despite what mainstream news says. Free Palestine.

[@GnarledSage]

Why not just proudly say just “American”?

[@baku_m_salti3128]

@@GnarledSage Good question! Safe to say I am a proud American, I have lived all my life in this lovely land and I am eternally grateful for the opportunities this land has provided me and my family. But I must never forget my roots, as we all should. I am proud of both nations and cultures that forge my ethno-national identity, that is all :D

[@nouzhalouma9235]

​@@GnarledSagePourquoi vous ne posez pas la même question aux, franco-maroco-britanuco-israelo-americains?

[@anjumanara3493]

​@@baku_m_salti3128You are right

[@MMusa-gy7qb]

I can't help but cry after seeing this , I'm Palestinian and went through a lot of this. ❤

[@rhonda6791]

Chris everyday you honor your teacher, and the people who were kind to you by relentlessly speaking truth to power and working towards spreading humanity. I thank you as I’m positive so many others do.

[@joebondo2422]

If world leaders were like Chris Hedges peace would be a breeze. Unfortunately Evil Reigns. GOD bless you Chris.

[@fjordhellas4077]

Dear Chris, Dear People of the Emir-Stein Center: thank you for your immense Humanity and Humility ! I fully share Chris’ feelings because I had the same wonderful experience when I was studying Arabic and Middle Eastern studies at the American University of Beirut ten years ago. My Lebanese friends and professors were like a family. Their generosity and hospitality left me eternally grateful. My experience of living and studying in Lebanon changed my life and outlook of the Arab world and other non Western nations, not to mention their beautiful and elegant language and rich culture, gastronomy and history.

[@crude888]

Thank you. all the love from Lebanon.

[@1goal1]

❤

[@cogthusiast1150]

A different picture of Middle Easterners than what Western Media and Hollywood portray. They are some of the most generous people on earth.

[@promark5317]

Total opposite of their greedy, land-stealing oppressors

[@klaushubbertz7009]

{...Western Media and Hollywood...} are owned by whom ???🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 No surprise !!!

[@ceekay5267]

@@promark5317it’s really amazing how they r the complete opposite it just makes no sense. The Jews were persecuted everywhere they went around the world nobody wanted them. Then they got to Palestine and the Palestinians took them in with open arms and this is how they thanked them i will never understand how people could b so evil

[@nj8396]

@@ceekay5267 you just answered your question......the reason for their perennial persecution lies within their behaviour as you can witness with Palestine currently.

[@lestrem11]

And yet they refuse to offer Palestinian refugees sanctuary.

[@rafiqkie]

"what made us human-being, is empathy towards all.." - rafiqkie

[@-ZSOX]

Lesson learned: ignorance promotes hate, knowledge promotes tolerance. Free Palestine!

[@steve6012]

Free Palestine from Hamas

[@ZakirHussain-oz9su]

@steve6012 Probably u shd listen a few times to what Chris has got to say...

[@throughthemagnifier9024]

Can't put it better than that!

[@daronnemis3812]

@@steve6012 free the world from the likes of you who have eyes but do not see and ears but do not hear and hearts filled with hypocrisy and double standards.

[@tohidulislamnahid1818]

@@steve6012 Free Gaza from Hamas and free West Bank from Israeli occupation . Free Palestine from Israeli oppression .

[@Ahreman_egy]

Ok im egyptian but im crying half way through the video, why we cant always be kind to each others like this

[@bamu8328]

I don't have words to express how this made me feel. Thank you for this 😢

[@SonOfAdam94]

I love the combination of storytelling, truth telling and pleasant visuals and tone, God be pleased.

[@zombiehampster1397]

It's so sad how separated we are as humans, but how much in common we all really have. Being humble and having a respect for other people and their culture goes a long way.

[@clairjunior5291]

Chris, at this moment in time, when faith in humanity is all but lost, you come along and restore the faith by your own humanity. Thank you!

[@dungeonmasterelite2]

Dang, I was already a supporter of Chris Hedges, but this was an amazing tale!

[@FatemehBagherian-o1v]

Chris you’ve made me cry. I understand and feel exactly what you say I’m from those area. Thank God for beings like you ❤❤

[@samielouariachi1855]

Thanks chris A bridge between civilisations Truth teller. Educated. Erudite. Brave. Courageous. Honest. True human being. Loving. Truthful. Compassionate.

[@aelbadrawy8324]

Thank you Christopher for shining some light in these dark times. 🙏

[@jjutt87]

What a brilliant and gorgeous visual telling of Chris Hedges unbelievable life story! His message and work deserves to be seen heard and read by everyone in every language!

[@bgjr2304]

Bucket List: - Hug Chris Hedges

[@nurrizalahmadimran4005]

A very unbiased channel. İ like this channel much

[@TheresaGraf]

What lovely, fresh take. From an Ashkenazi Jew who found the love of Jesus, may all know peace.

[@Najda007]

I love the way you told the story. It feels like poetry. I also have a story of kindness of this people. They not knowingly saved my life. The cruelty towards them hurts me a lot.

[@wikileaks4341]

Let there be peace. End colonialism. End war. Free Palestine.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

I don’t think that’s the answer. Let the Jews have a home. How about that. The Muslims have safe homeland from Morocco to Pakistan.

[@ayhayuba3969]

@@nofurtherwest3474Pakistan belongs to Pakistanis. Morocco belongs to Moroccans. Who the hell are you to tell someone to give away their homeland to someone else? Give your damn home to some rando.

[@Russel_at_whatever]

@@nofurtherwest3474 Jew are welcome, Zionists are not

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@ayhayuba3969 They should share with Muslim brethren. Don’t be greedy, those borders were drawn by Europeans anywho its not like they earned it

[@guyplessier7935]

@@Russel_at_whatever a bit like saying “Arabs are welcome but Muslims aren’t”😊

[@nickbrodziak611]

Ive come to see things MUCH differently now in the mideast. I no longer believe all the propaganda saying one side is evil, one side is good. Very sobering story you shared, Chris.

[@RonSonntag]

Beautifully told and thank you for this view of what true kindness can be. I was overwhelmed and conflicted and cried because of the simultaneous knowledge within me of what is happening in Gaza and to the innocent Palestinians. I am ashamed of being an American and I am ashamed of President Biden. It is so incomprehensible that the US is funding this slaughter that I live day-to-day with this cognitive dissonance that continues to depress me seemingly without end. You provided at least one clear light.

[@bazlur-Vancouver]

Sleepy Joe is a Catholic Zionist who told bibi, that when he went to Israel promised bombs and support and devoted more to Israelis than Americans because 6 of his grandchildren are Jewish (google).

[@kiren3168]

This was an emotional watch. Chris is a phenomenal story teller; no wonder he is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.

[@roxannamarinak3156]

You make me cry Chris on showing what real kindness is and how it opens Hearts! Thank you. We American s have much to learn

[@southpaw786]

Thank you Chris for continuing to keep us in touch with our humanity

[@mohammedhumaid7636]

Delivered with so much passion , so truthful that it makes you cry.

[@khalidal-subaihi9827]

May Allah reward you brother for this beautiful and honest experience ❤

[@patof72clune51]

Your demon Muslim moon god only rewards with evil. Pray to the true Catholic Triune God

[@halalnews]

Amazing to see Chris Hedges pm this page. Keep it up!

[@saadsaklawy1363]

A moving story. I sometimes feel animals, in their own little way are more compassionate than humans.

[@paulheydarian1281]

Oh, definitely-! Cats, Dogs, Parrots, even Crows. Crows are more intelligent than most people these days. 😮

[@barbarafrank2427]

They are

[@sso1834]

Chris' message brings tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing. The TRUE miracle is our God-given ability to bring out "the best" from one another, whatever our definition of "the best" is. For some, their best is to maximize profit regardless of human costs. For others, their best is to kill the most people in the most effective ways. I am grateful Chris' best is his ability to see kindness. Only clear eyes can see human kindness. Only pure hearts can see God of Mercy.

[@juanmercado9182]

Thank you for reminding us of our humanity 🙏

[@mansoornaqvi5933]

We are fortunate to get to know so many wonderful people all around the world who are raising their voice without any fear, for the humanity and compassion.

[@Tryste]

thank you Chris Hedges

[@mathelga]

That was a good message. I hope many people can understand and act this way towards one another.

[@mohamedalihebboul2214]

There are many problems in this world that can be solved, only compassion can solve many of them. Free Palestine

[@benjaminraspael5504]

free Palestine from Hamas. I agree

[@mohamedalihebboul2214]

@@benjaminraspael5504 Yes Free Palestine from neonazis zionists, Hamas are living in their land because they are Palestinians

[@johns1139]

This was great. I never knew that Chris Hedges went through this.

[@yoservs]

this was beautiful,Chris. thanks for the upload

[@CoachZahabi]

Beautiful

[@LittleNoiseBoy]

This is very beautiful. It bears great truths, and the truth, even when it tells of pain, has a profound beauty. Thank you and may all humans seek the wisdom to bring compassion to their dealings with the world.

[@lamroproductions756]

love from Pakistan

[@ShabnoorMaved]

Thank you emir stein to always speak the truth.. May the almighty always bless you all to more wisdom and insight.. to a place closer to the almighty in the spaceless and timeless dimension, ameen

[@RobinHerzig]

Incredibly inspired story, beautifully told 👏 Chris Hedges has always been a critical voice for truth on the side of justice. Now is a crucial time to pay attention. Chris doesn't just report, he contextualizes. This matters.

[@Fabsurf101]

Nothing like a first-hand experience with a seasoned journalist who can speak the language. Wonderful vignettes in dire circumstances.

[@MelancholischerMond]

Thanks for your story. It moved me to tears. There are more people like Omar on this planet. Allah will lead you to them as a sign of his mercy.

[@popthatbeep]

The first time I met and talked with a Palestinian Muslim, all my beliefs and stereotype about them told by the narratives shattered to pieces. They are so friendly and calm, they treat their friends and guests so good. Talking about their mothers OMG, I've never felt someone else mothers to be that connected to me just like my own mother. To see they can keep living as a sane and normal society after all the disturbing inhumane treatment and apartheid bombings for decades, is very impressive indeed, normal people would've been mentally broken. Great people, they have strong will indeed. I think Palestine the holy land are truly a blessed place, I'm quite shocked to learn even the Christians there doesn't practice unmarried sex activities like the common west.

[@fikarrusdiawan9562]

However, Palestinian society in the Gaza Strip cannot be called truly 'normal'. Don't you know about the children in Gaza who rejoiced after receiving news that their fathers, uncles, brothers, cousins ​​and other relatives were martyred in the Hamas military aggression on October 7?

[@mamnoona]

Bless you, my eye watered… the Middle East the land of generosity ❤

[@mohamedali2858]

Thank you

[@alialibay6639]

Merci Chris Hedges!❤ cela fait chaud au coeur. Que Dieu bénisse tous êtres personnes qui ont un coeur ouvert, sensible et rempli d'humanité. Salam, Shalom et Paix pour l'humanité entière✌

[@thecheshirecat999]

I was so touched by this story, there is so much heart and humanity in what he says

[@dereknewbury163]

Chris Hedges, thought provoking and human as always. Great message

[@melwebb64]

Chris, you are an amazing man with so much compassion. The world needs more men like you. 🙏❤️

[@L98fiero]

This story, if nothing else, shows the humanity of people, all people, if only they consider that the others are just as human as they are.

[@HA-in1me]

Ma sha ALLAH, shukran jiddan for the good you sent to us and thank you for the upload

[@patof72clune51]

What has the muslim demon moon god have to do with this.

[@kimleew1767]

beautiful! thank you for sharing chris! my heart is broken but people like you and the up risings around the world help. ❤✊🏾

[@bruceclark4754]

A wonderful story Chris.

[@cassiqu]

So beautiful, Chris!!! Thank you, for bringing the beauty to light. Their gifts were honored by you.

[@dabay200]

Hedges is one of world's best journalists, and a person of absolute integrity

[@pietrowislon7300]

Chris Hedges: a rare spark of American decency.

[@paulheydarian1281]

👍🏽👌🏾

[@funkytomtom]

One of our greatest moral voices, thank you Chris.

[@NidalZoghbi]

In the darkest hours of humanity in Gaza, this moment of human kindness is much needed. ❤

[@lilithgrrrl]

Ugh Chris never misses. Love his work!

[@MissMaserati]

Thank you for the amazing story and reminding us to humanize

[@estrategiasformativas6382]

A living legend. Best reporter on the world!

[@UTshaman]

This is one of the most profound films I have watched on KZbin. Thank you for your honesty and your insights….

[@RedAngel11993]

So touching! What a great man!

[@andrewharlow84]

Thank you Chris, that was a deeply moving story.

[@teemadarif8243]

Im a muslimah. Nothing but respect to you my brother in humanity 🙏🏽

[@patof72clune51]

My condolences for your affliction.

[@assalaamu-alaykum]

That is a super nice message amids all negativeness generalisations dehumanisation .. What kindness can create can not be equalled by anything..We need more of such beautiful people ♡

[@areebsiddiqi4871]

Great Video!

[@JavierBonillaC]

Chris Hedges, I admire you so much, but more so for this video. From Mexico City, be well my friend.

[@foodlover2236]

Thank you Chris for this touching story The best way you can thank these people who were kind to you is make a prayer for them. If they are alive may they be in Gods protection and be safe and if they have died may they be rewarded for their kindness and be in Heaven. Ameen And God bless you too

[@classicalgreekdance]

Thank you Chris Hedges. You represent the 'human being" we aspire to become. Thank you!

[@lailamoozeer761]

Heartbreaking speech and memories Uk

[@zunaidahwanchik638]

Such a beautiful narration that made me teary eyed. Kindness begets kindness.

[@ammaawal1256]

God bless you.

[@bon9410]

Thank you for touching my soul with your words.❤

[@aminaakoob8475]

God as made this world so big for all to live for rich or poor so we should live respecting each other think about the day we die we take nothing only our good deeds

[@lindagarland5223]

Thank you Chris for your personal story. It is THE lesson.❤

[@Oliasn8]

Blessings to you, Chris Hedges. What a potent message and much needed representation of what our shared planet needs more than ever. It’s so simple really, but it does require patience and introspection to get to this understanding. In our hearts we are indeed one large human family. Sincere compassion can heal so much that we have rushed to judgment about. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and the example that simple kindness and respect can pave the way to peace. 🙏🏻☮️❤️

[@sarkighnia]

This was beautiful. Praise God.

[@midhat-e-rasool9381]

Absolutely heart warming! You made me cry!

[@healingbyqurannow]

Every human life is a precious life.

[@limeslam6567]

Chris: I do profoundly thank you for your true emotions, words of compassion, meaningfulness and truth. I do profoundly thank you for integrity, courage and wisdom.

[@vivianaBalbuena-Kuras-lt2pm]

This is beautiful! My wish is for the Israeli and the Palestinians can make peace, please 🙏.

[@OmarAlikaj]

This is what I hope to see one day in the Levant: a region of cultural melting pot with different people living side-by-side.

[@cogthusiast1150]

That's what it use to be until the onset of the modern nation state

[@lilithgrrrl]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 agreed. Peaceful co existence

[@diggerman00007]

That was so heartfelt and wonderful it's made me cry, thank you for making these people live in our hearts

[@freeheeler09]

The miracle of human kindness… This morning, after hearing of yet another mass shooting in a town very much like ours here in the US, my wife and I recommitted to kindness. In this time of growing strife and struggle, we will be kind.

[@paularoderick2150]

What a powerful and simple lesson. Thank you Chris Hedges

[@ashoakwillow]

I have admired Chris Hedges reporting and insights for many years, and always thought his spirit of humanity shone through. I would like to hear more of his personal experience, this is moving and inspiring.

[@aminaismail5974]

My brother Chris that what Islam taught us to treat others regardless who they are, شكرًا لك وأرجو ان يسمعك الآخرين أبناء جلدتك.

[@nezuko-wj6xt]

i am 45 and i grow older day by day. What happens in Gaza now fastaned it. And i cry more as if in my 70s ... Thank you for this Mr Hedges. We need this stories more

[@krishar2521]

May Allah guide and protect you Chris. Amin

[@nourahrmumeenslave]

i already liked Chris Hedges before, but now I'm impressed...this was very telling of the man Mr. Hedges really is inside.😊