Asel Asleh was a young intelligent, warm and good natured peace activist that grew up in the midst of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Born on May 6, 1983 in Haifa, Asel was fortunate to live and grow up in his ancestry’s village, the village of Arrabeh in the Lower Galilee. Asel attended a school in Haifa called ‘Al Karmel School’ and later moved to Arraba’s “Jeem” Elementary School. After elementary school, Asel moved to what became his favorite school, ‘Mar Elias College’ in Ibillin village, a village also in Lower Galilee.
“He was a brilliant student” says Hasan Asleh, Asel’s father. Asel spoke 3 languages fluently; Arabic, English and Hebrew, and was known to be a computer wiz. He spent many hours in front of his computer screen, among other things, chatting to the world. In a time when the internet was new and somewhat scarce, Asel was a pioneer amongst his peers, in making the computer a gateway to the world and a gateway to freedom.
At the age of 14, Asel joined an organization called Seeds of Peace. “In 1997 he passed three exams and was chosen to be a member” said Asel’s father. “At first it was very hard for him,” but he became very committed and involved to Seeds of Peace. Asel was known to express his opinions and experiences clearly and honestly, especially about his conflict as a Palestinian Arab living in Israel. The 15-year old boy, at this point, started reading philosophy and history books.
One of his writings expressed the urge to enjoy life, as if he always knew his life will be short. He wrote: “…enjoy living in this life as long as you are still breathing, after all you live only once; and be someone, and not just anyone.” It was people like him that the area needed to build the new region of peace. He had a whole future ahead of him to make a difference in the region, but his future and dreams were tragically ended when he was murdered and killed by Israeli police on October 2, 2000. His 1000-watt smile was turned off forever.
