Remembering a Christian Militant and Martyr

Talking recently to a close friend of Daniel, I realised it has been a bit over six months since he was killed. Later that week, I found an announcement to his memorial service in a two-weeks old newspaper.


Taken from AlQuds Newspaper, this was an announcement for Daniel's sixth month memorial that took place on the 15th of December 2006 at the Nativity Church (Christ's birth place), Bethlehem.

Abu Hamameh was killed by Israeli special forces on Easter, 23 April 2006. He was with his family celebrating Easter before he joined some of his mates for a wonder in one of his friends cars. A couple of hours later, the special forces attached the car and shot dead Daniel and Ahmed Musleh, then arrested the third, who apparently was "wanted" by the IOF. The killing of Daniel Abu Hamameh was broadcasted on the local channels in Bethlehem. The horrible images did for sure send some shivers down some people's spines and for sure past on the message from the IOF for the people of Bethlehem to some messing around. The last means, Stop Resisting the Occupation. However, the spokesperson of the IOF pronounced an apology and "sorrow" for the killing of "the Christian". Was that to create a further breach the unity of the Moslem and Christian brotherly hood of the 'Little Town of Bethlehem', or was it not? Abu Hamameh was a militant. He was a Christian Palestinian, too. He always believed in fighting the occupation. He is dead now, leaving behind a traumatised neighbourhood, family and friends, who also carry him in their hearts wherever they go. Actually, that friend I spoke to a couple of days ago is still dealing with the bits left of the shock he received following the killing of Daniel. Yet, he's doing a lot better, much better than most Palestinians that I know and who went through similar grievs.

Daniel Abu Hamama, Funeral at the Church of Nativity, Bethlehem, 24 April 2006