Peace, Surfboards, and Gaza

Here's a link to an article from the New York Times. It's a bit outdated (from this summer) but it's an interesting look at a Jewish surfer's unique attempt to reach out to Palestinians in Gaza.

JERUSALEM, Aug. 21 — The noted American surfer, Dr. Dorian Paskowitz, has high hopes for Gaza, and like the waves, he will not let anything stop him trying to see them through.

On Tuesday, Dr. Paskowitz, 86, a retired Jewish physician from Hawaii popularly known as Doc, personally delivered 15 new surfboards to Palestinian surfing enthusiasts there.

Later the article mentions:

One of the Palestinian surfers, Muhammad Jayab, described himself in the article Dr. Paskowitz had read as sympathetic to Hamas. That did not put Doc off. “To be able to go to your enemies and give them something that makes them happy is a most fulfilling adventure,” he said.

The article is bitter-sweet, however. Keep reading and it recounts how two Palestinian children, aged 10 and 12, were shot to death by the Israeli army.