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Why Deport a Friend to Middle East Peace?


(Washington Post) Mosab Hassan Yousef and Gonen ben Itzhak - Gonen ben Itzhak is an Israeli, the son of a retired Israel Defense Forces general who was in charge of defeating the first intifada some 20 years ago. Mosab Hassan Yousef is a Palestinian, the son of a founder of Hamas whose father was one of the leaders of that intifada. As detailed in the book Son of Hamas, we became partners in the fight against terrorism; Mosab became an undercover agent for the Shin Bet, Israel's security service; Gonen became his Shin Bet handler. In the nine years we worked together, the two of us, once sworn enemies, embraced mutual recognition. As we worked together to prevent the deaths of hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians, the two of us became friends. We were shocked when, in 2009, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security opposed his request for political asylum, all the more so when it threatened to deport Mosab in the name of protecting American security. If this decision is upheld, it will signal to the world that America does not stand by those who sacrifice to oppose terrorism.
2010-06-30 08:31:52
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