Community, History, Militarism and Policing

Waiting: Life under Israel-Occupied Palestine

March 15, 2018

By R.T.

The checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramalla.

The checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramalla.

In 2004, when I was eight years old, my family moved back to Palestine from the United States. My mother decided she wanted us to live there for four years to see the rest of our extended family, and to experience the life she lived. My parents enrolled me in an American school in the city of Ramallah because I could not understand Arabic at the time. On the day that I arrived in Palestine, the Israeli Army issued a roadblock between my village and Ramallah. The only people who could have access to that road, which connects numerous villages and towns to Ramallah, were Jewish settlers or Israelis. All others who attempted to cross were either sent back or arrested. At the first checkpoint that I encountered, I saw a Palestinian man getting pulled out of the car by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers. He was blindfolded, and his hands were tied behind his back. He was pushed to the floor; his face pressed against the dusty sand. I quickly learned the difficulty of living under occupation. Because of the roadblock, my school bus had to take a much longer route to Ramallah, which added hours to my school day. I felt hopeless waiting on the bus for hours each day, knowing that I still had homework to do when I got home. The hours that Palestinians lost waiting at checkpoints could have been allocated to better fulfill their lives.

I started to hate living in Palestine after the first year. To show their presence, the IDF soldiers would raid my village and cause electricity outages at random times, leaving us without access to hot water for hours. It was not until much later when I realized that the ploys the Israeli army used to inconvenience Palestinians were meant to push Palestinians to seek a better life somewhere else. For the first four years I lived there, I kept praying that we would move back to the U.S. to escape the occupation. I did not realize at the time that I was in fact wishing to return to a country that sends my tax dollars to fund the Israeli army, persecuting the Palestinian people. I learned that Israel is the largest annual recipient of American aid from 1976 to 2004 and the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. aid since World War II. Like many other diasporic Palestinians, I suffered a cognitive dissonance of longing for Palestine, but wanting desperately to live in the U.S.—for an easier life. I gradually realized that the Israeli army erected the unnecessary checkpoints to push Palestinians to flee their own home, and to deplete the life of Palestinians who chose to stay.

Israeli travel policies also penalize Palestinians who carry Palestinian citizenship, requiring them to first fly to Jordan and then drive into Palestine where they encounter an endless, stressful, and chaotic checkpoint. In contrast, Palestinians who have U.S. citizenship are treated less inhumanely; they are able to take commercial flights directly to Tel Aviv, and to travel freely upon arrival; however, they are still interrogated for hours at the airport, and must leave within three months at a time. The chaos and burden of the Jordan-Palestine checkpoint alone pushes many Palestinians in the U.S. to give up their Palestinian citizenship in order to fly directly to Tel Aviv, and to travel with ease thereafter throughout Israel and Palestine. The decision to give up Palestinian citizenship should not be blamed on the Palestinians, but on the successful Israeli tactics to burden the everyday life of Palestinians. I came to realize that the Israeli scheme to encourage Palestinians to relinquish Palestinian citizenship is key to removing power and gaining control from the Palestinians.

Because of U.S. economic and political support of Israel, Israel is able to conceal the human rights violations and everyday injustices inflicted on Palestinians. I wanted to share these stories because they represent my understanding of the direct consequences that the U.S. support of Israel had had on me, my family, and the Palestinian people. It is important to me and my family to hold on to our citizenship so we see our extended family and have the opportunity to permanently reside there. In the same way, I think it is important for other Palestinian people to hold on to their citizenship in order to defy Israeli tactics.

Comments:

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Lila Sharif

March 30, 2018 • 7:54 PM

Beautifully written. Thank you for sharing.

Karissa “Ivy” Martinez

March 7, 2019 • 9:52 AM

It makes me sad to see how Israel uses Judaism to justify human rights violentions and atrocities… as a Jewish person it disgusts me what Isreal is doing to my religion and my hope is that they will admit their greed and colonialism as the first step to dismantle it

Gabby Yagyagan

March 7, 2019 • 9:55 AM

It was interesting to me about the discussion of maintaining Palestinian citizenship, but I really appreciated this insight into how Palestinian lives are affected dramatically by militarization within Palestine and even by the US support of the Israeli forces.

Brianna Brawley

March 7, 2019 • 9:55 AM

I found these firsthand accounts extremely powerful, because of the juxtaposition between longing for solely US citizenship to make life more livable, but also recognizing the effects of US citizenship as yet another tool to oppress Palestinian people.

Ryan N.

March 7, 2019 • 9:56 AM

I am astonished that these Israeli enclosement tactics parallel those used by the U.S, to slowly erase Native Americans from history.  Thank you for sharing.

Marne A

March 7, 2019 • 9:58 AM

Thank you for sharing your story. It was very eye-opening.

I never realized how much aid Israel receives from the US.  That is a very interesting point that you bring up.  It also reminds me of the ties that militarization has with colonialism, something that we often learn in theory, but don’t always recognize its reality.

Zahra Masood

March 7, 2019 • 10:02 AM

It is interesting and very upsetting to see how the Israeli Government coerces Palestinians to give up their citizenship by making their lives miserable and forcing them to make the difficult decision of letting go of their country for an easier life.

Derek Buitron

March 8, 2020 • 11:29 PM

I think this post is really beautiful and eye-opening. I thought the part when you discuss the ways that the U.S. government is responsible for the conditions in Palestine and Israel. This connection reminds me of the saying “we are here because you were there”. I think it is an important concept that needs to be explored more because it not only holds the U.S. accountable for its actions abroad but it also shifts the narrative and gives power to those who have experienced such injustices. Great post!

Priscilla Frayre

March 11, 2020 • 8:44 PM

I appreciate you telling your story R.T. I can only imagine how difficult it is to see how the imposition of a nation can influence and support violence and oppression. This reminds me of the theme “we are here because you were there” because the U.S. has a strong influence on the conflict between Palestine and Israel.  I think it is vital to point out these influences to determine the root of evil and conflict among people. Awesome post.

Brandon Najera

March 12, 2020 • 12:45 PM

I appreciate sharing the story of your experience in Palestine. One connection that came to mind is that the U.S is always involved with funding oppressive actions. Reading this reminded me of how in places like Central and South America are constantly being oppressed due to presidents being put into office by the U.S. With what happened in Bolivia this post goes to show that it isn’t only in Bolivia but all over the world.

Tsung Wei Chao

March 17, 2020 • 10:39 AM

I truly appreciate your story. It shows the duality of the Israeli government, and how they perpetuate their oppression and hold on the Palestinian people. Their unapologetic and unabashed treatment of Palestinians is sickening.  The U.S is also guilty, their support of Israel leads to the persistent and perennial mistreatment of Palestinians.

Tirrezz Hudson

October 10, 2021 • 11:09 PM

Thank you for sharing this story, your story. It’s beyond sad but makes sense that the U.S. performs similar tactics to Israel, given the financial and political support the U.S. gives to Israel. But thank you for sharing your story and highlighting the oppressive, inhumane, and violent tactics of Israel against Palestinian people.

Haofeng Chen

February 28, 2022 • 12:47 PM

This genuine story records the real situation under control. More stories like this should be shared to the world.

noemi rodriguez

May 24, 2022 • 10:46 AM

thank you for addressing and sharing your own growth and insight. seeing how you understood and reflected on your own cognitive dissonance while still very much feeling things must have been hard but i’m proud that you were able to share this with us.

Willie Qiu

May 24, 2022 • 10:48 AM

Thank you for sharing your experiences, the struggles that Palestinian people face in their daily lives is something that is seldom known to non-Palestinian people. The tactics and strategies imagined by the Israeli government and supported by the US government in order to coerce Palestinian to either leave or suffer is totally inhumane. Thank you again for taking the risk in sharing your story and allowing us to educate ourselves about the realities in Palestine.

Niamh M.

May 24, 2022 • 10:48 AM

Thank you for sharing your story. Your writing is very powerful and insightful. I agree with what many other comments have said that more personal stories like this help people understand the intricacies and realities of what we see on the news.

Manuel I lizalde

May 24, 2022 • 10:48 AM

State violence funded by the US military as a continued form of colonialism is harrowing to see or hear about. But it is important to share these stories in order to show the world that Palestinians are being pushed out of their own homes. Thank you for sharing.

Ashley Bui

May 24, 2022 • 10:48 AM

Recognizing the cognitive dissonance of wanting to flee to a place that supports your homeland’s oppression was a really poignant point to make, and really represents the internal conflict that faces any population subjected to an unjust governmental conflict. Thank you for sharing the truth of your experiences.

Jasmine Gillie

May 24, 2022 • 10:48 AM

I found it really powerful that you shared your experience of longing for freedom from persecution while that so-called freedom had implications which would further remove Palestinian people. Thank you for sharing your experiences!

Makayla Rivera

May 24, 2022 • 10:48 AM

Thank you for sharing your story. It is extremely disheartening that you were unable to feel fully comfortable in neither the U.S. nor Palestine. It is interesting how they are both intertwined and you feel the impact of the other place while being in one location. It is hard to feel safe in one area when there are constantly boundaries and oppression amongst you just for being Palestinian, regardless of where you live.

Jesus Melendrez

May 24, 2022 • 10:49 AM

Thank you for sharing this story. There’s something so remarkably brave about choosing to speak out against these exclusionary tactics, even at the risk of personal safety. The dissonance in desiring US citizenship for an easier life while understanding that doing so plays right into the hands of the oppressors must be incredibly difficult to manage as well.

Yasminna Sanchez

May 24, 2022 • 10:49 AM

These are definitely things that people abroad do not consider when thinking about the Israeli-Palestine conflict. I remember a coworker at work was talking about it and was like, “well my dad’s brother’s aunty’s mother’s sister’s husband’s wife is Jewish so I stand with Israel” and since at that time I did not know anything more detailed about the conflict, I just thought “what a weird thing to say”. Hearing these stories and learning more about what is going on makes me feel really sick that someone so far attached from it like my coworker would invalidate the experiences of Palestinian people in that way and stand with people who encourage displacement and persecution. Thank you for sharing your story, you are making a difference in this world. I wish more people knew about these details of the conflict, or that more people even cared to look into it themselves and find impactful stories like yours.

Aaron Ngan

May 24, 2022 • 10:50 AM

I appreciate the vulnerability of sharing this story of daily life under occupation.  The scenes that you described are but a few of the many experiences of settler colonial violence Palestinians endure. It is sad to see that this has become part of the everyday, but it is crucial to listen to stories such as yours to understand the totality of militarization.

David Mendoza

May 24, 2022 • 10:50 AM

It was really shocking reading about how Israeli tactics try to diminish Palestinians citizenship in order to further deepen their control and power in the region.

Jake Noren

May 24, 2022 • 10:50 AM

Thank you for sharing your story. The massive funding of the Israeli army by the US is shocking and unacceptable. Using religion to justify terror is inexcusable and I hope that Palestinian rights and stories are heard and acted upon.

Cassadie

May 24, 2022 • 10:50 AM

Thank you for sharing this. I was interested to hear about the relationship of needing to return to the US for physical safety whilst knowing that the US is contributing to making the situation in Palestine more dangerous.

Mikayla Clarke

May 24, 2022 • 10:50 AM

Thank you for sharing your story. It eye opening to see the struggle Palestinians face in both the U.S. and in Palestine. It’s sad to hear about all of the daily struggles Palestinians must go through just to live or even go to school.  It’s also sad that some must give up their citizenship and the right to live in Palestine just so they can visit family easier.

Katherine Getchell

May 24, 2022 • 10:50 AM

Thank you for sharing this experience, I know takes a lot of courage to do so when it comes to Israel’s occupation of Palestine. I’m sorry that the narratives people in power push so vehemently about antisemitism have been so effective, and that you face backlash for that just for writing about wrongs your people endure day in and day out.  I am glad that I’ve recently become more informed about this mistreatment and I am hopeful that as more people hear the truth we can build momentum for change.

Lisbeth Nava

May 24, 2022 • 10:50 AM

Thank you for sharing your story with us. Before reading this, I did not know how serious the conflict between Israel and Palestine was and how aggressive the Israeli police is. I also cannot wrap my head around the fact that Palestinians have to deal with checkpoints and long interrogations to be able to go to their homes.

Paul Garcia

May 24, 2022 • 10:51 AM

Appreciate you sharing your story. I’ve never been taught or done any personal research about the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. It’s ignorant to say, but since I’ve never had direct connection to there it was kind of out of sight out of mind. So again thank you for sharing your story and shedding light to those who don’t know what is going on in the world.

Ashley

May 24, 2022 • 10:51 AM

It’s scary to understand the role the US holds in inflicting colonial violence that works to push people out of their homeland and conceal the widespread violence. Maintaining Palestinian citizenship is an act of honor and protest against the violent occupation that I deeply admire. FREE PALESTINE.

Calvin Kim

May 24, 2022 • 10:51 AM

Wow, thank you for sharing a powerful story. It shows the lack of human rights and the constant suffering that the Palestinians experienced. This story also gave insight on how US politics gets in the way of human rights.

Nayeli Trejo

May 24, 2022 • 10:52 AM

This is really eye-opening, because of the U.S. racialization tactics the effects of the Israeli occupation on Palestinians are often erased, by sharing your story you are challenging this erasure. I also think it is very important to hold the U.S. accountable.

Kyleen Martin

May 24, 2022 • 10:53 AM

Although some people may think that waiting at checkpoints and electricity outlets are minor inconveniences, this illustrates the overall control Israel has over Palestinians. Being able to control utilities of life like being able to cook, have water, be able to travel, especially during emergency. This small acts have consequences and show the flex of the Israeli government. These can be seen as small acts of terror because Israel is trying to show that they have control over Palestinians.

Eugene Vang

May 24, 2022 • 11:01 AM

I am grateful to get the opportunity to hear about the lived experiences and stories that were shared from the perspective of a Palestinian and of many Palestinians living under the conditions of Israeli occupation. This author speaking truth and exposing the injustices and violence Palestinians are forced to endure is powerful. It’s crucial to reflect on ways to show up to be in solidarity with Palestinians globally and particularly in Palestine that are under scrutiny and being violently disciplined and punished for speaking truth to power. Living in the U.S., it is necessary to learn about this history and ongoing Israeli occupation in Palestine, expose and condemn U.S. relations and support of Israel, and amplify and support the voices and leadership of Palestinians. Thank you for this.

Steven Chin

May 24, 2022 • 11:38 AM

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. What stood out to me was the juxtaposition of staying or leaving, of longing and hatred, and the dilemma you faced between indirectly contributing to militarized realities in Palestine by being in the US, or confronting those realities yourself and living in a state of waiting and transit by being in Palestine. That was a unique insight you had that shed a lot of light on this issue and how cruel and unjust these actions are.

Veronica Liu

May 9, 2023 • 1:28 PM

Thank you for sharing your story. I visualize how disruptive and violent these processes by the Israeli government are, in order to displace Palestinians further both explicitly and implicitly. I think about how life cannot be life in Palestine because people and government have the power to choose to be antagonistic.

Jaylene Camarillo

May 9, 2023 • 1:30 PM

Thank you for sharing your story, and the importance in the detail you provided in it! It is truly overwhelming to learn about the measures to which the US has extended its power to.

Daiana Sandoval

May 9, 2023 • 1:30 PM

Thank you for sharing your experience. This allows for outsiders to see the difference in treatment between individuals and truly highlights the situation at hand.

Lilly L

May 9, 2023 • 1:30 PM

Your perspective on refugee struggles, especially when you said “hours that Palestinians lost waiting could have been better allocated to fulfilling their lives” was so insightful and informative as to what the refugee experience is like. Beautifully written, thank you!

Yolianno Marcelo Gomez

May 9, 2023 • 1:31 PM

The implementation of fear factors and militarized activities like checkpoints, raids, and power-outages could be seen a form of psychological warfare on Palestanian people. I cannot image what Palestinians are feeling right now, but what I do know is reading about this mistreament makes me angry. I am angry that the US gets to reap the benefits of calling itself the lighthouse of world peace while aiding in the survival of an oppressive and survilliant state. I hope that more people will become educated in this struggle and advocate for Palestanian human rights.

Allison Lopez

May 9, 2023 • 1:31 PM

Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s shocking to observe the struggles Palestinians experience in American society and Palestine. It is disheartening to learn about the everyday challenges Palestinians face just to survive. Especially when certain individuals must give up their citizenship and right to live in Palestine in order to visit family.

Johnny Nguyen

May 9, 2023 • 1:32 PM

This was a beautiful post. It was heart-wrenching to hear about the way Palestinians are treated and the blatant disregard for human rights. I thought the most interest part of this was the pondering of moving back to the U.S., but also being aware that that is the country funding these travesties.

Nick

May 9, 2023 • 1:32 PM

Thank you for sharing your story. It is hard to grasp the scale of pressure being applied by Israeli forces on the daily lives of Palestinians. The less blatantly violent acts of shutting off electricity/water or introducing checkpoints and their subsequent impacts on daily living and production are potent examples of targeted moves against the infrastructure to ostracize people from their homes.

Calvin Nguyen

May 9, 2023 • 1:32 PM

I think it is eye opening to read about the experiences of Palestinians living in Israel. It is a lose lose situation for Palestinians no matter what they choose because they either leave a country that they call home or forced to deal with hours of arbitrary checkpoints meant to push them away from Israel.  It is difficult for the author well because the author is positioned in a crossroads in terms of identity. The American side tends support Israel and their human rights violations of Palestine, while her Palestine identity sees the struggles of Palestinian citizens firsthand. Her position allows her to experience struggle and also see how her struggles are caused by the country she was living in.

Aiko

May 9, 2023 • 1:32 PM

Wow this is a very insightful piece. It’s interesting how it explores the less obvious tactics that Israel uses to push people out of Palestine. I think it is also interesting how decreasing people’s quality of life is used as a tactic. Reading this from her perspective, I can see how it would be tempting to avoid all of the extra stress imposed by Israel to keep her Palestinian citizenship.

Darren Davis

May 9, 2023 • 1:32 PM

While reading this, even in the first paragraph she explains the troubles people had in there day to day life. Even as a child she can see the injustice of how people are being treated so she kind of carries that notion that people are being mistreated for being different.

Jacqueline Rios

May 9, 2023 • 1:33 PM

This was a very insightful experience that you shared with your readers. Fleeing a location can ultimately make you flee your sense of identity. As a kid who was born in Mexico, but grew up in a border town in the U.S., I found myself in a constant state of standing in front of a roadblock between choosing which identity to associate with. The perspective of a Palestinian, as you voice your experiences of the aggressions from Israel-occupied land, creates a space of courage and narrative-shifting important for bringing awareness to this issue.

Hayley Bonanti

May 9, 2023 • 1:33 PM

Thank you for sharing your story, It saddens me when you mentioned that Palestinians were meant to push Palestinians to seek a better life somewhere else. Your story really displays settler colonial violence against Palestinians and how much it isn’t talked about Thank you for shedding light on the human rights violations and day-to-day injustices upon Palestinians.

Timothy Swain

May 9, 2023 • 1:33 PM

This personal experience of how Israel is making Palestine impossible to live in should be enough to convince anyone that supporting Palestine is not antisemitic, but actually anti-colonialism. These are the same tactics used by America to eradicate Native Americans and police our border to oppress refugees and immigrants.

Chloe Ann Soribello

May 9, 2023 • 1:34 PM

Thank you for sharing your stories and experiences with us—-the way you told your story with longing and anger while writing about the complexity of wanting to leave, even no matter how much you wished you could stay, struck a chord in my heart. It makes me incredibly sad and frustrated to read about the United States’ support for Israeli forces and the power and control that they have over Palestinians and their homes. It reminds me, all too well, of the imperialist and colonialist agendas that the United States, as well as many other nations, have and how colonialism is an ongoing event.

Naomi Tran

May 9, 2023 • 1:34 PM

After reading the experiences and hardships you went through, it pains me to see how hard Palestinians are fighting to keep Palestine from buckling under Israeli power. It truly is admirable to keep persevering for so long, and it is a shame that Israel is being helped by the United States. The fact that the U.S. funds these actions was very shocking, and I understand how it put you in a difficult place when you wanted to go back to America.

Joaquin Mena Jr

May 9, 2023 • 1:34 PM

Thank you for sharing your story. It is important for people to hear this so that they are able to make informed decisions about what narratives they perpetuate.

Ivette Rodriguez Garcia

May 9, 2023 • 1:34 PM

Wow. I am blown away. Thank you for sharing your story R.T., it really alludes to the fact that power is always something that will be the center of conflict. The hold that Israeli attempts to have over Palestinians is inhumane. I applaud you and your story for defying them.

Lilly Lyon

May 9, 2023 • 1:34 PM

The insight you provide of the refugee experience is really insightful and powerful…. I really liked when you said “ hours that Palestinians lost waiting at checkpoints could have been allocated to better fulfill their lives.”

Stephanie Ruiz

May 9, 2023 • 1:35 PM

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It’s important to make these injustices public in their entirety in order for others to understand the pain being experienced by the entire nation of Palestine. It’s heartbreaking to know that you and so many other people and children have to experience this trauma throughout your childhood & live through these experiences that will stay with you forever. There’s so much power and strength in refusing to give up your Palestinian citizenship and refusing to submit to Israel.

Max Miller

May 9, 2023 • 1:35 PM

Thank you for sharing your story. I am just learning about this ongoing conflict and am surprised how little backlash there is against this. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere”.

Salma Parra Pulgarin

May 9, 2023 • 1:36 PM

Thank you for sharing such personal stories about an issue that is ongoing and personally affects families such as yours. The truth that lies in your lived experience and that of so many others should be known by more people in the US who are not aware of where our tax dollars are going. We are all unknowingly contributing to the burden that falls on so many shoulders millions of miles away. I hope that you continue to share your story and shine light on the reality of Palestinian life as a result of US interference. Thank you.

Beverly

May 9, 2023 • 1:36 PM

One of the things I learned in my ethnic studies class is that migrating to other countries is something many have seen as voluntary rather than a necessity. However, I see that the tactics that the Israeli military uses, such as creating laws that restrict Palestines from traveling, lowers their quality of life, and this forces Palestinians to be displaced. I thought it was interesting that the US funds Israel so they have the resources to implement discriminatory laws; it shows that the US directly plays a role in creating poor conditions for Palestinians.

Leila Viramontes

May 9, 2023 • 1:37 PM

It is very upsetting to think of Palestinians being forced to give up their citizen ship, as we know that their fleeing is not based on a dislike for their country but is out of necessity. To take away someone’s citizenship to their home country sounds like it would be devestating.

Jacqueline Gonzalez

May 9, 2023 • 1:37 PM

Thank you for sharing your story and shedding light on the realities faced by Palestinians. Your voice is important, and I hope that your words will contribute to a greater understanding and empathy towards the Palestinian people. Stay strong and keep fighting for justice and equality.

lizbeth gonzalez

May 9, 2023 • 1:37 PM

Before this text I had not thought of the involvement of the US as it pertains to this context. The US has a notorious history of leading and funding efforts rooting in settler colonialism which makes the context more clear. Overall, the act of retaining citizenship as an act of solidarity and persistence is a beautiful thing.

Tessa Herrera

May 9, 2023 • 1:37 PM

Thank you for sharing this. Such an example of colonialism in everyday and current life, that many believe to be of the past and something we have moved on from. The way that those borders and tactics have been used to push Palestinians away from the power that lays in citizenship really shows the power that people can have and the fear that those in power have of people who take up space in that way. Powerful piece.

Amy

May 9, 2023 • 1:37 PM

This story was very eye opening for me. Anyone living in inconveniences such as electricity outages and long school commutes would undoubtedly want to go somewhere else, but the reason why RT stayed in Palestine is so empowering. Reading anecdotes such as this article is saddening, but leaves a huge impact on readers like me.

Jade Schachtell

May 9, 2023 • 1:38 PM

This article provides beautiful insight to the Israeli process of power. These dynamics are used to remove power and gain control over the Palestinian people. By removing the ability to move freely the Israeli government gains control over the people and disregards their rights as humans.. Thank you for sharing your experiences and perspective which allows us to analyze the power dynamics at play.

Julissa T.

May 9, 2023 • 1:39 PM

Thank you for sharing your powerful story of experiences with living under the conditions of occupied Palestine. It reveals the everyday control that settler occupation have on people’s mobility and lives.

Rosa

May 9, 2023 • 1:40 PM

It is important to learn about firsthand experiences in Palestine especially for people who live in the US and do not realize how the two are connected. I like how you included how ironic it is that US funds the Israel militarism and fails to recognize the inhumane treatment and conditions that the Israel police puts Palestine’s through. Thank you for enlightening us on such important topics.

Maria Salazar

May 9, 2023 • 1:40 PM

Thank you for sharing! It’s interesting to see how much injustice there was and that U.S. was involved with it. It’s surprising how much you were able to learn by living it on a daily basis. It’s important to see what is happening at all times.

isabelle aguilar

May 9, 2023 • 5:18 PM

Thank you sharing your story! I feel that your story not only showed the importance and the struggle of this conversational topic but it showed your strength and how your thought process was as much as an impact on things. This topic is on going and you shed light on this greatly. Thank you for sharing

Mathilda Nolasco

May 10, 2023 • 12:23 PM

Thank you for sharing your experience. The fact that this is funded by the US becomes even more upsetting. The fact that people’s quality of life and time is taken away as a strategy to get them to move out. This emphasized the idea of “we are here because you were there.” The idea that borders are not fixed and extend far beyond is demonstrated by your example. I am sorry you had to experience this, but I thank you for sharing this very personal and real experience.

Paris

May 23, 2023 • 10:15 AM

Hi,

This was beautifully said and an extremely insightful piece.  It sheds so much light on the more unknown tactics used by Israel to push people out of Palestine and the connection this has to U.S. settler colonialism. I understand now how this would push many Palestinians in the U.S. to give up their Palestinian citizenship.

Brian C.

May 29, 2023 • 6:49 PM

Thank you for sharing your story. To many, giving up citizenship status may not seem like a big deal, but having to renounce a Palestinian citizenship in order to take up a US one—a citizenship that people may not truly identify with—just in order to ease travel, is a very big deal, and is something that could cause many people pain. Thank you for sharing, and for shedding light on these injustices.

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