Shame

It doesn't shame Palestinian men, whether thieves or policemen, to strip in front of Israeli bulldozers and tanks.

It doesn't shame Palestinian mothers, wives, and daughters to see their men stripped naked in front of Israeli guns pointed at their chests.

It does'nt shame Palestinian children to see their daddies, big brothers, and neighbors stripped naked among the rubble of their destroyed prison.

There is no shame in being freightened. No shame in bodies, young and old, exposing their fragility. No shame in wanting to live.

There is no shame in not having a military uniform on. The man pointing the gun in your face and asking you to "strip or die" is wearing a military uniform. What good has that done him?

But there is shame in the accusing words: "they should have fought!" "they should have died!" "they should have not been there!" "how dare those naked men shame us!"

There is shame in the gaze of an indifferent world.
There is shame in the sigh of relief the Israeli man and woman breathed.
There is shame, so much shame, in the words "strip or die" yelled through megaphones at besieged men.

When the Israeli occupation degrades the Palestinians, the Palestinians should blush, for shame, at what man has done to man.