A thief returns a stolen handbag to a Palestinian woman with an apology. Image credit: Poshmark.com
A person who commits theft can still show compassion, but the act of stealing is morally wrong regardless of the thief’s feelings toward others. A compassionate person might be moved to help someone in need, yet that does not make theft acceptable.
This brings me to a recent story about a thief who returned a handbag he had stolen the day before, leaving behind a handwritten apology that deeply moved the woman. The note read: “Forgive me. I didn’t know you were Palestinian. If I had known, I wouldn’t have stolen from you.”
What actually happened?
A Palestinian woman living in an unnamed Arab country (reports do not confirm Doha specifically, though Qatari outlets amplified the story) had her handbag stolen. The next morning, the thief returned the bag to her doorstep along with a handwritten apology note.
What was inside the bag?
- Personal documents
- A medical file (which revealed her nationality and health condition)
- $275 in cash, which the thief also returned
These items appear to have led the thief to realize she was Palestinian and undergoing medical treatment.
Why did the thief return the bag?
According to the apology note quoted in media reports, the thief wrote:
- “Forgive me, I didn’t know you were Palestinian. If I had known, I wouldn’t have stolen from you.”
- He also asked for forgiveness and expressed remorse after learning about her nationality and medical situation.
Source: https://x.com/AJA_Palestine/status/2070780300817563824?s=20
The apology note included:
- An explicit apology
- A request for forgiveness
- A statement that he would not have stolen from her had he known she was Palestinian
Public reaction
Social media users across the region reacted with humor and surprise, calling him:
- “A thief with principles.”
- “Even thieves love Palestine.”
The story spread widely because of the unusual mix of wrongdoing, remorse, and political sentiment.
Was it definitely in Doha, Qatar?
This remains uncertain. Qatari outlets such as The Peninsula and Al‑Sharq reported the story, which may have led people to assume it happened in Doha. However, none of the sources explicitly confirm the country, only that it occurred “in an Arab country.”
In fairness to Qatar, it is worth noting that 85% to 95% of its 2.7 million residents are migrant workers. Statistically, the likelihood that the thief was a Qatari national is roughly 1 in 10.
By contrast, Israeli military forces have been accused by Israeli media of looting large quantities of cash, gold, and luxury jewelry from homes and civilian infrastructure in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Reports from February 2025 estimated the value of stolen items at nearly $28 million. Looting and theft by military forces are prohibited under international law and constitute war crimes.
The truth is that neither Prime Minister Netanyahu nor the soldiers involved appear to show regard for international law. For that reason, I intend to post this article on the website of the Israeli Defense Ministry in an effort to sensitize them to the moral and legal consequences of taking another person’s property. I will include the biblical commandment: “Thou shalt not steal.”
Mahmoud El‑Yousseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice. Email: elyousseph6@yahoo.com
