Foreword

On behalf of Tom, my sincere thanks to the highly respected speakers whose erudite lectures, representing many facets of the plight of Palestinians, are collated in this book. They are amongst the best of writers, lawyers, historians, academics, educationists, media experts, medical practitioners and activists of conviction who dedicate themselves to a cause that millions of us across the world care deeply about. With their vast knowledge and often moving first-hand experience, they express what it means to be a Palestinian living under an interminable and brutal occupation. I hope everyone looks forward to reading this book and is left with even greater curiosity.

My warmest thanks to Ian Parker for the truly colossal task of collating these brilliant essays, the outcome of sixteen memorial lectures. Thank you for your energy and perseverance, for understanding what drove Tom, how determined he was to see with his own eyes and to record his rational thoughts.

To everyone involved in the publication of this book, you have helped give expression to the essence of what drove Tom and his growing sense of injustice. Thank you.

Extract from Tom’s diary, 2nd November 2001: ‘What do I want from this life? What makes me happy isn’t enough; all those things that satisfy our instincts complete only the animal in all of us. I want to be proud. I want something more. I want to look up to myself and when I die I want to be smiling about the things I’ve done, not crying for what I haven’t. I guess I want to be satisfied I know the answer to this question. Everyone wants to be different, make an impact, be remembered.’