From Edmund Shehadeh

Dear Friends

Tribute: Nick Pretzlik

Nick was very close to the hearts of every Palestinian who had the honor to know him. He genuinely believed in the Palestinian cause and struggle for independence, justice and equal rights. Nick witnessed the aftermath of the massacre at Jenin refugee camp and was touched by the great suffering of the Palestinian people as a result of the Israeli invasion.

Consequently he dedicated himself to supporting the Palestinian cause by conveying a strong message to the world about the humanitarian implications of the Palestinian Israeli conflict rather than reporting on political issues. My personal experience with him started when he brought a 12-year-old boy with spina bifida from Jenin refugee camp who could not walk and needed intensive rehabilitation services and psychological support which his family could not afford to pay for. Although I was committed to rendering these services to the child free of charge, Nick continued to raise funds to try to cover the child's treatment expenses and technical aids. After spending one year at BASR's rehabilitation center, the child was discharged home walking supported by bilateral long leg splints and elbow crutches.

Nick's dream was to come to Palestine on his bicycle and then donate it to that child, but unfortunately his dream was not fulfilled.

Nick you will never be forgotten by your Palestinian friends!

Edmund H Shehadeh
Beit Jalla July 2004