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David Harris-Gershon: What do you buy the children of the terrorist who tried to kill your wife?

Twelve years ago today, David Harris-Gershon's wife was nearly killed by a Hamas bomber in Jerusalem. Then, he did something that might seem unusual for someone in his position: he went to speak with the bomber's family, and took presents for the kids....
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Twelve years ago today, David Harris-Gershon's wife was nearly killed by a Hamas bomber in Jerusalem. Then, he did something that might seem unusual for someone in his position: he went to speak with the bomber's family, and took presents for the kids.

After more than three weeks of fighting in Gaza, at least 1,300 Palestinians and more than 50 Israelis have been killed. It's a horrifying outbreak of the violence that's characterized Israeli-Palestinian relations for generations.

To outsiders, it may seem a like a long terrible blur. But for those affected, every missile, bomb and bullet is a milestone.

She was sitting with two friends who were killed instantly... The only reason we think she survived was she was reaching beneath the table at the moment the bomb went off.David Harris-Gershon
david harris-gershon-book-220.jpg

Mr. Harris-Gershon's life was thrown into upheaval 12 years ago in Jerusalem with the bombing of Hebrew University in July 2002, when nine people were killed and dozens wounded. Among the bloody bodies was a student from the United States, Jamie Harris-Gershon.

Her husband has written a controversial memoir about that day, and what happened afterwards -- it's especially controversial because he attempted to reach out to the bomber.

We spoke with David Harris-Gershon about his book, What Do You Buy the Children of the Terrorist who Tried to Kill Your Wife? This interview originally aired in October 2013.

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This segment was produced by The Current's Howard Goldenthal .

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