Growing up watching the Arab news broadcasting what's happening in Palestine,
My mind accepted the idea that a Palestinian is a victim and only a victim. I never imagined a Palestinian living normally. So the first thing that really surprised me is how the Palestinian individual goes beyond the status of a “victim.” They really know how to enjoy life and have many talents and passions. I’ve learned a lot from them, especially about keeping faith and hope.
Once in July 2022, in the New Askar camp, a young kind (8/9 y.o) was talking to me about one of the resistant fighters in Nablus from 'Areen Al Oussoud', his name is Ibrahim Nabulsi. He told me: You know Ibrahim Al Nabulsi? He is a hero, he is very strong, when I grow up I will be like him. The next day, the IOF invaded the old city and killed Ibrahim Al Nabulsi. It stuck with me because it was proof that the resistance in Palestine will never stop.
I grew up in Algeria, we learn about Palestine in schools but also at home. However, I became very interested in the Palestinian question after my first trip to Palestine in 2019 where I had the opportunity to see the reality of the Palestinian struggle with my own eyes.
My internship was in Nablus with Project Hope. I worked in the different refugee camps there (Balata, Al Aîn, New Askar) where I worked in summer camps organizing activities with kids in the morning, and teaching French the afternoon in Balata.
“I would like people to see the reality. See that it’s not that complicated to understand an Apartheid system and an occupation.”