I am a Palestinian I grew up in Palestine Israel Holy Land whichever
Palestine Israel Holy Land whichever
Palestine Israel Holy Land whichever your political preference you can choose
your political preference you can choose
your political preference you can choose but often people have a problem with
but often people have a problem with
but often people have a problem with figuring out even when I tell people
figuring out even when I tell people
figuring out even when I tell people where I’m from they have problem
where I’m from they have problem
where I’m from they have problem figuring out what does that mean them I
figuring out what does that mean them I
figuring out what does that mean them I grew up in Jerusalem which is the
grew up in Jerusalem which is the
grew up in Jerusalem which is the holiest city in the world and the joke
holiest city in the world and the joke
holiest city in the world and the joke in Jerusalem is we are holy people
in Jerusalem is we are holy people
in Jerusalem is we are holy people because we just born there so the only
because we just born there so the only
because we just born there so the only problems we can’t get along together
problems we can’t get along together
problems we can’t get along together unfortunately and I deal with one of the
unfortunately and I deal with one of the
unfortunately and I deal with one of the oldest most complicated conflicts in the
oldest most complicated conflicts in the
oldest most complicated conflicts in the world what I want to do is tell you
world what I want to do is tell you
world what I want to do is tell you first about my story and where I grew up
first about my story and where I grew up
first about my story and where I grew up and how my journey had got me to where I
and how my journey had got me to where I
and how my journey had got me to where I am today I grew up in a place called
am today I grew up in a place called
am today I grew up in a place called actually Bethany and I drew some just
actually Bethany and I drew some just
actually Bethany and I drew some just couple miles outside Jerusalem normal
couple miles outside Jerusalem normal
couple miles outside Jerusalem normal childhood however over there there’s
childhood however over there there’s
childhood however over there there’s really no normal childhood
really no normal childhood
really no normal childhood so my early memories is when the First
so my early memories is when the First
so my early memories is when the First Intifada started until father for those
Intifada started until father for those
Intifada started until father for those who don’t know is the uprising of
who don’t know is the uprising of
who don’t know is the uprising of Palestinians I was seven years old
Palestinians I was seven years old
Palestinians I was seven years old watching TV and I saw these guys
watching TV and I saw these guys
watching TV and I saw these guys throwing stones at some cars and as a
throwing stones at some cars and as a
throwing stones at some cars and as a seven-year-old growing in a place where
seven-year-old growing in a place where
seven-year-old growing in a place where there is not really much of excitement
there is not really much of excitement
there is not really much of excitement or no playgrounds no community centres
or no playgrounds no community centres
or no playgrounds no community centres nothing cool to do I thought throwing
nothing cool to do I thought throwing
nothing cool to do I thought throwing stones sounds like a fun thing to do I
stones sounds like a fun thing to do I
stones sounds like a fun thing to do I went talk to my friends who were all six
went talk to my friends who were all six
went talk to my friends who were all six five seven eight years old and I told
five seven eight years old and I told
five seven eight years old and I told them what do you think we should do the
them what do you think we should do the
them what do you think we should do the same thing it looks fun they all agreed
same thing it looks fun they all agreed
same thing it looks fun they all agreed with me we went to the closest road and
with me we went to the closest road and
with me we went to the closest road and start throwing stones but we weren’t
start throwing stones but we weren’t
start throwing stones but we weren’t told that we were supposed to throw
told that we were supposed to throw
told that we were supposed to throw stones at the enemy so we throw stones
stones at the enemy so we throw stones
stones at the enemy so we throw stones at our neighbors cars
that night my parents were not happy
that night my parents were not happy with me and I had to do a lot of
with me and I had to do a lot of
with me and I had to do a lot of explanation but eventually we’ll learn
explanation but eventually we’ll learn
explanation but eventually we’ll learn that okay there’s different road that
that okay there’s different road that
that okay there’s different road that you can go and throw stones at which is
you can go and throw stones at which is
you can go and throw stones at which is a settlement road and at seven years old
a settlement road and at seven years old
a settlement road and at seven years old that’s what I did I go to the road throw
that’s what I did I go to the road throw
that’s what I did I go to the road throw stones until unfortunately one day I hit
stones until unfortunately one day I hit
stones until unfortunately one day I hit hit that target normally we were
hit that target normally we were
hit that target normally we were throwing stones and nothing happens but
throwing stones and nothing happens but
throwing stones and nothing happens but I hit the target and the driver comes
I hit the target and the driver comes
I hit the target and the driver comes out and starts shooting at us
out and starts shooting at us
out and starts shooting at us but you know when when you live in a
but you know when when you live in a
but you know when when you live in a conflict and when you seven each 8-year
conflict and when you seven each 8-year
conflict and when you seven each 8-year old and you see a lot of bad things
old and you see a lot of bad things
old and you see a lot of bad things happen I saw people being killed people
happen I saw people being killed people
happen I saw people being killed people who’ve been arrested being shot at but
who’ve been arrested being shot at but
who’ve been arrested being shot at but you think you really can avoid that
you think you really can avoid that
you think you really can avoid that happening to you it’s it’s kind of like
happening to you it’s it’s kind of like
happening to you it’s it’s kind of like watching a car accident you think it can
watching a car accident you think it can
watching a car accident you think it can happen to other people you might say a
happen to other people you might say a
happen to other people you might say a prayer but you don’t think it’s gonna
prayer but you don’t think it’s gonna
prayer but you don’t think it’s gonna happen to me and I lived in that bubble
happen to me and I lived in that bubble
happen to me and I lived in that bubble which was burst very early in my life
which was burst very early in my life
which was burst very early in my life when I was nine years old a group of
when I was nine years old a group of
when I was nine years old a group of soldiers came into my home it was about
soldiers came into my home it was about
soldiers came into my home it was about 5:00 in the morning came into my room
5:00 in the morning came into my room
5:00 in the morning came into my room and decided to arrest my brother they
and decided to arrest my brother they
and decided to arrest my brother they see her who was 18 years old at the time
see her who was 18 years old at the time
see her who was 18 years old at the time he was arrested for suspicion of
he was arrested for suspicion of
he was arrested for suspicion of throwing stones taken he refused to
throwing stones taken he refused to
throwing stones taken he refused to confess the allegation he was beaten up
confess the allegation he was beaten up
confess the allegation he was beaten up for 18 days so he would confess that he
for 18 days so he would confess that he
for 18 days so he would confess that he did it eventually after 18 days he
did it eventually after 18 days he
did it eventually after 18 days he signed and whatever paper they asked him
signed and whatever paper they asked him
signed and whatever paper they asked him to sign he was sentenced for one year in
to sign he was sentenced for one year in
to sign he was sentenced for one year in prison which I was able to visit him
prison which I was able to visit him
prison which I was able to visit him only one time through it a little bit
only one time through it a little bit
only one time through it a little bit before a year passed
before a year passed
before a year passed theseare was released from prison but by
theseare was released from prison but by
theseare was released from prison but by the time he was released from prison he
the time he was released from prison he
the time he was released from prison he actually was incredibly sick he had a
actually was incredibly sick he had a
actually was incredibly sick he had a liver failure he had a spleen failure we
liver failure he had a spleen failure we
liver failure he had a spleen failure we took him to a hospital right away and in
took him to a hospital right away and in
took him to a hospital right away and in the hospital after surgery a few days
the hospital after surgery a few days
the hospital after surgery a few days later the doctor came to my mom and he
later the doctor came to my mom and he
later the doctor came to my mom and he was a idiot doctor he came to her and
was a idiot doctor he came to her and
was a idiot doctor he came to her and said so do you have any more children
said so do you have any more children
said so do you have any more children and she wasn’t understanding what he’s
and she wasn’t understanding what he’s
and she wasn’t understanding what he’s talking about she said yes I do said
talking about she said yes I do said
talking about she said yes I do said well it’s good because soon you’re going
well it’s good because soon you’re going
well it’s good because soon you’re going to have one less
to have one less
to have one less and a couple days later they still
and a couple days later they still
and a couple days later they still passed away at the 10 year old you
passed away at the 10 year old you
passed away at the 10 year old you really don’t don’t comprehend a lot of
really don’t don’t comprehend a lot of
really don’t don’t comprehend a lot of things but I understood one thing at
things but I understood one thing at
things but I understood one thing at that moment I understood that they seer
that moment I understood that they seer
that moment I understood that they seer didn’t die a natural death all I
didn’t die a natural death all I
didn’t die a natural death all I remember it is the soldiers coming and
remember it is the soldiers coming and
remember it is the soldiers coming and taking him from home and I was very
taking him from home and I was very
taking him from home and I was very angry I was very bitter I was very
motivated to do something about and I
motivated to do something about and I felt you know I felt like when somebody
felt you know I felt like when somebody
felt you know I felt like when somebody punches you in the face what’s the first
punches you in the face what’s the first
punches you in the face what’s the first thing you do when somebody gives you
thing you do when somebody gives you
thing you do when somebody gives you that punch have you ever been punched
that punch have you ever been punched
that punch have you ever been punched anybody come on what do you do you know
anybody come on what do you do you know
anybody come on what do you do you know you’re all silent are we peaceful people
you’re all silent are we peaceful people
you’re all silent are we peaceful people what do you normally do when you’re
what do you normally do when you’re
what do you normally do when you’re punched in the face you punch back how
punched in the face you punch back how
punched in the face you punch back how many people you know when they punched
many people you know when they punched
many people you know when they punched in the face they say let me take a step
in the face they say let me take a step
in the face they say let me take a step back and think really logically about
back and think really logically about
back and think really logically about this most of us don’t do that if you
this most of us don’t do that if you
this most of us don’t do that if you punched in the face you want a hit back
punched in the face you want a hit back
punched in the face you want a hit back and that’s exactly how I felt I wanted
and that’s exactly how I felt I wanted
and that’s exactly how I felt I wanted to hit back I wanted those who hurt me
to hit back I wanted those who hurt me
to hit back I wanted those who hurt me to be hurt back and that’s what I
to be hurt back and that’s what I
to be hurt back and that’s what I dedicated my life for especially I’m the
dedicated my life for especially I’m the
dedicated my life for especially I’m the youngest of my brothers and I in just of
youngest of my brothers and I in just of
youngest of my brothers and I in just of four boys and well we were five boys and
four boys and well we were five boys and
four boys and well we were five boys and two girls and I’m the opes child which
two girls and I’m the opes child which
two girls and I’m the opes child which means my parents didn’t plan on having
means my parents didn’t plan on having
means my parents didn’t plan on having meat iceers nine years older than me
meat iceers nine years older than me
meat iceers nine years older than me but he’s the one just older than me and
but he’s the one just older than me and
but he’s the one just older than me and so my parents were tired of raising
so my parents were tired of raising
so my parents were tired of raising children by the time I was born and so
children by the time I was born and so
children by the time I was born and so he was given that task so my first day
he was given that task so my first day
he was given that task so my first day in school normally your parents take you
in school normally your parents take you
in school normally your parents take you to school my parents didn’t show up he
to school my parents didn’t show up he
to school my parents didn’t show up he took me to school when I had the
took me to school when I had the
took me to school when I had the problems in school checking and my
problems in school checking and my
problems in school checking and my grades any of that my parents never came
grades any of that my parents never came
grades any of that my parents never came to check on me in school he was the one
to check on me in school he was the one
to check on me in school he was the one coming fighting with my teachers arguing
coming fighting with my teachers arguing
coming fighting with my teachers arguing in my behalf
in my behalf
in my behalf doing all that stuff and so for me to
doing all that stuff and so for me to
doing all that stuff and so for me to lose him it was a very very personal
lose him it was a very very personal
lose him it was a very very personal thing it wasn’t just losing a brother
thing it wasn’t just losing a brother
thing it wasn’t just losing a brother was more losing a dad a friend all of
was more losing a dad a friend all of
was more losing a dad a friend all of that by the way if you look at the
that by the way if you look at the
that by the way if you look at the picture and thinking what happened to
picture and thinking what happened to
picture and thinking what happened to you used to look at cute
you used to look at cute
you used to look at cute that’s normally what they get from
that’s normally what they get from
that’s normally what they get from people who knew me when I was young and
people who knew me when I was young and
people who knew me when I was young and I get really offended when people do
I get really offended when people do
I get really offended when people do that I grew up very politically active
that I grew up very politically active
that I grew up very politically active since then I believe that my duty is to
since then I believe that my duty is to
since then I believe that my duty is to revenge my duty is to hurt those who
revenge my duty is to hurt those who
revenge my duty is to hurt those who hurt my brother
hurt my brother
hurt my brother joined the political party very quickly
joined the political party very quickly
joined the political party very quickly I was very active in something called
I was very active in something called
I was very active in something called the Fatah youth movement by 13 I was
the Fatah youth movement by 13 I was
the Fatah youth movement by 13 I was incredibly active by 16 I was editing
incredibly active by 16 I was editing
incredibly active by 16 I was editing the youth magazine for Fatah Heath
the youth magazine for Fatah Heath
the youth magazine for Fatah Heath movement in Jerusalem being one of the
movement in Jerusalem being one of the
movement in Jerusalem being one of the leaders of the movement organizing
leaders of the movement organizing
leaders of the movement organizing protests for two three four thousand
protests for two three four thousand
protests for two three four thousand students to come out in the streets
students to come out in the streets
students to come out in the streets three of my colleagues were killed
three of my colleagues were killed
three of my colleagues were killed through it I was writing a lot of
through it I was writing a lot of
through it I was writing a lot of articles every week I would write two
articles every week I would write two
articles every week I would write two three articles pretty much similar to
three articles pretty much similar to
three articles pretty much similar to the media today we write they’re wrong
the media today we write they’re wrong
the media today we write they’re wrong here’s why we you know should never
here’s why we you know should never
here’s why we you know should never compromise or do anything that makes the
compromise or do anything that makes the
compromise or do anything that makes the other look or feel good eventually I
other look or feel good eventually I
other look or feel good eventually I finished high school and realized I
finished high school and realized I
finished high school and realized I never studied Hebrew in East Jerusalem
never studied Hebrew in East Jerusalem
never studied Hebrew in East Jerusalem because Hebrews the language of the
because Hebrews the language of the
because Hebrews the language of the enemy I was not willing to learn it but
enemy I was not willing to learn it but
enemy I was not willing to learn it but if you live in Jerusalem and you don’t
if you live in Jerusalem and you don’t
if you live in Jerusalem and you don’t study Hebrew it’s a problematic because
study Hebrew it’s a problematic because
study Hebrew it’s a problematic because without Hebrew he can do anything in
without Hebrew he can do anything in
without Hebrew he can do anything in Jerusalem in my high school was
Jerusalem in my high school was
Jerusalem in my high school was mandatory to learn Hebrew I went through
mandatory to learn Hebrew I went through
mandatory to learn Hebrew I went through three years not learning one word in
three years not learning one word in
three years not learning one word in Hebrew because I just thought no way I
Hebrew because I just thought no way I
Hebrew because I just thought no way I did pass all my exams
did pass all my exams
did pass all my exams they’re gonna tell you hell and I I
they’re gonna tell you hell and I I
they’re gonna tell you hell and I I decided when I studied Hebrew that I
decided when I studied Hebrew that I
decided when I studied Hebrew that I will study in a place that will really
will study in a place that will really
will study in a place that will really teach me the language is the best place
teach me the language is the best place
teach me the language is the best place to study that you can learn the
to study that you can learn the
to study that you can learn the languages and Israeli place called
languages and Israeli place called
languages and Israeli place called open-open is where Jewish and newcomers
open-open is where Jewish and newcomers
open-open is where Jewish and newcomers go to learn Hebrew not many Palestinians
go to learn Hebrew not many Palestinians
go to learn Hebrew not many Palestinians there actually in my class I was the
there actually in my class I was the
there actually in my class I was the only Palestinian in that class and
only Palestinian in that class and
only Palestinian in that class and sitting in that class and looking around
sitting in that class and looking around
sitting in that class and looking around and thinking very uncomfortable because
and thinking very uncomfortable because
and thinking very uncomfortable because for 18 years of my life I realized I
for 18 years of my life I realized I
for 18 years of my life I realized I have never met a Jew an Israeli who was
have never met a Jew an Israeli who was
have never met a Jew an Israeli who was not a soldier or a settler 18 years and
not a soldier or a settler 18 years and
not a soldier or a settler 18 years and as nice as a soldier can be and some of
as nice as a soldier can be and some of
as nice as a soldier can be and some of them can be really really nice you can’t
them can be really really nice you can’t
them can be really really nice you can’t have a dialogue with somebody with a gun
have a dialogue with somebody with a gun
have a dialogue with somebody with a gun and suddenly I’m sitting with these
and suddenly I’m sitting with these
and suddenly I’m sitting with these people in a classroom by the way 200
people in a classroom by the way 200
people in a classroom by the way 200 meters
meters
meters from my school there was a Jewish school
from my school there was a Jewish school
from my school there was a Jewish school we’ve never talked we’ve never had
we’ve never talked we’ve never had
we’ve never talked we’ve never had anything to do with each other
anything to do with each other
anything to do with each other occasionally we threw stuff at each
occasionally we threw stuff at each
occasionally we threw stuff at each other that was it and suddenly I’m
other that was it and suddenly I’m
other that was it and suddenly I’m sitting with these people and the
sitting with these people and the
sitting with these people and the beginning I don’t want to talk to
beginning I don’t want to talk to
beginning I don’t want to talk to anybody you know you have all these
anybody you know you have all these
anybody you know you have all these stereotypes because when you separate
stereotypes because when you separate
stereotypes because when you separate these are making up myths in your mind
these are making up myths in your mind
these are making up myths in your mind you start thinking that other people
you start thinking that other people
you start thinking that other people have horns and Tails and crazy stuff and
have horns and Tails and crazy stuff and
have horns and Tails and crazy stuff and then you meet and you don’t know how to
then you meet and you don’t know how to
then you meet and you don’t know how to deal with it and it wasn’t politics that
deal with it and it wasn’t politics that
deal with it and it wasn’t politics that actually changed my mind
actually changed my mind
actually changed my mind my first conversation that I remember
my first conversation that I remember
my first conversation that I remember that made the difference you know it’s
that made the difference you know it’s
that made the difference you know it’s when you study a second language they
when you study a second language they
when you study a second language they force you to talk to each other and ask
force you to talk to each other and ask
force you to talk to each other and ask questions how are you who are you what
questions how are you who are you what
questions how are you who are you what do you like and that question what do
do you like and that question what do
do you like and that question what do you like I’m the only Palestinian that I
you like I’m the only Palestinian that I
you like I’m the only Palestinian that I know on the face of earth who loves
know on the face of earth who loves
know on the face of earth who loves something called country music now
something called country music now
something called country music now plenty enough in DC I don’t find many
plenty enough in DC I don’t find many
plenty enough in DC I don’t find many people who agree with me sorry but
people who agree with me sorry but
people who agree with me sorry but suddenly in that classroom
suddenly in that classroom
suddenly in that classroom other than my Palestinian friends when I
other than my Palestinian friends when I
other than my Palestinian friends when I tell them yeah like Johnny Cash or Brad
tell them yeah like Johnny Cash or Brad
tell them yeah like Johnny Cash or Brad Paisley or any of those they all look at
Paisley or any of those they all look at
Paisley or any of those they all look at me some of you look at me who’s proud
me some of you look at me who’s proud
me some of you look at me who’s proud Paisley but what the heck are you
Paisley but what the heck are you
Paisley but what the heck are you talking about and suddenly in that
talking about and suddenly in that
talking about and suddenly in that classroom I need some of my Jewish
classroom I need some of my Jewish
classroom I need some of my Jewish colleagues who thought country music
colleagues who thought country music
colleagues who thought country music that’s a good thing not that many Jews
that’s a good thing not that many Jews
that’s a good thing not that many Jews like country music
like country music
like country music don’t misunderstand me but there were a
don’t misunderstand me but there were a
don’t misunderstand me but there were a couple there were a couple and
couple there were a couple and
couple there were a couple and fortunately they were in that class but
fortunately they were in that class but
fortunately they were in that class but then you start going over other stuff
then you start going over other stuff
then you start going over other stuff and you start realizing what separates
and you start realizing what separates
and you start realizing what separates us as people is not politics is not it’s
us as people is not politics is not it’s
us as people is not politics is not it’s not the things that we come up with and
not the things that we come up with and
not the things that we come up with and thinking it’s just al and it’s it’s it’s
thinking it’s just al and it’s it’s it’s
thinking it’s just al and it’s it’s it’s really not that it’s a wall not a
really not that it’s a wall not a
really not that it’s a wall not a physical wall it’s an emotional wall
physical wall it’s an emotional wall
physical wall it’s an emotional wall it’s a wall built of anger of hatred of
it’s a wall built of anger of hatred of
it’s a wall built of anger of hatred of fear but most importantly of ignorance
fear but most importantly of ignorance
fear but most importantly of ignorance and when you have ignorant and fear that
and when you have ignorant and fear that
and when you have ignorant and fear that separates two people you can think you
separates two people you can think you
separates two people you can think you are better than those on the other side
are better than those on the other side
are better than those on the other side and you can think that you’re more moral
and you can think that you’re more moral
and you can think that you’re more moral than those and
than those and
than those and other side and you can think they’re
other side and you can think they’re
other side and you can think they’re more ethical and you’ll find always good
more ethical and you’ll find always good
more ethical and you’ll find always good reasons why you are better and why you
reasons why you are better and why you
reasons why you are better and why you more ethical on my you know moral but
more ethical on my you know moral but
more ethical on my you know moral but when that wall goes away it’s amazing
when that wall goes away it’s amazing
when that wall goes away it’s amazing how we can come together I realize that
how we can come together I realize that
how we can come together I realize that that cycle of violence that they did
that cycle of violence that they did
that cycle of violence that they did this to me so I have to do that to them
this to me so I have to do that to them
this to me so I have to do that to them is the biggest problem that we have just
is the biggest problem that we have just
is the biggest problem that we have just because somebody did a horrible action
because somebody did a horrible action
because somebody did a horrible action and my brother was killed in this
and my brother was killed in this
and my brother was killed in this conflict
conflict
conflict it doesn’t mean my reaction has to be
it doesn’t mean my reaction has to be
it doesn’t mean my reaction has to be similar actually by reacting in the same
similar actually by reacting in the same
similar actually by reacting in the same way I was being a prisoner to that
way I was being a prisoner to that
way I was being a prisoner to that person who killed my brother instead I
person who killed my brother instead I
person who killed my brother instead I decided I’m going to take a different
decided I’m going to take a different
decided I’m going to take a different direction and taking a different
direction and taking a different
direction and taking a different direction is hard it’s not easy don’t um
direction is hard it’s not easy don’t um
direction is hard it’s not easy don’t um I’m not naive to think oh well I become
I’m not naive to think oh well I become
I’m not naive to think oh well I become a peace activist and everything is gonna
a peace activist and everything is gonna
a peace activist and everything is gonna be cool and nice it is a hard path you
be cool and nice it is a hard path you
be cool and nice it is a hard path you have to wake up every morning when you
have to wake up every morning when you
have to wake up every morning when you live over there and think which
live over there and think which
live over there and think which direction I’m gonna take you read the
direction I’m gonna take you read the
direction I’m gonna take you read the newspaper every day then you think this
newspaper every day then you think this
newspaper every day then you think this is depressing even as being talking to
is depressing even as being talking to
is depressing even as being talking to people here and I tell them what I do
people here and I tell them what I do
people here and I tell them what I do and the normal thing they’ll tell me how
and the normal thing they’ll tell me how
and the normal thing they’ll tell me how about what happened this week how about
about what happened this week how about
about what happened this week how about so-and-so Prime Minister because it is
so-and-so Prime Minister because it is
so-and-so Prime Minister because it is very depressing but then you think what
very depressing but then you think what
very depressing but then you think what is the other alternative do i watch
is the other alternative do i watch
is the other alternative do i watch what’s happening and do nothing or do i
what’s happening and do nothing or do i
what’s happening and do nothing or do i try and do something to make a
try and do something to make a
try and do something to make a difference one of the things I realize I
difference one of the things I realize I
difference one of the things I realize I have first of all to do is to learn the
have first of all to do is to learn the
have first of all to do is to learn the narrative and the story of the other and
narrative and the story of the other and
narrative and the story of the other and that’s a key thing learning about other
that’s a key thing learning about other
that’s a key thing learning about other people you know we were talking today
people you know we were talking today
people you know we were talking today about learning about animals learning
about learning about animals learning
about learning about animals learning about species learning about invasions
about species learning about invasions
about species learning about invasions or endangered areas but you’re not first
or endangered areas but you’re not first
or endangered areas but you’re not first of thing we have to learn also about
of thing we have to learn also about
of thing we have to learn also about each other know who is the people who
each other know who is the people who
each other know who is the people who living there people travel around the
living there people travel around the
living there people travel around the world see incredible sights and forget
world see incredible sights and forget
world see incredible sights and forget to see people we are neighbors and so I
to see people we are neighbors and so I
to see people we are neighbors and so I decided one of the important thing in
decided one of the important thing in
decided one of the important thing in Jewish history is the Holocaust
Jewish history is the Holocaust
Jewish history is the Holocaust Palestinians learn nothing about it I
Palestinians learn nothing about it I
Palestinians learn nothing about it I took a bus went to the Holocaust Museum
took a bus went to the Holocaust Museum
took a bus went to the Holocaust Museum I was the only Palestinian there walked
I was the only Palestinian there walked
I was the only Palestinian there walked around and there’s
around and there’s
around and there’s feeling if I recognize their pain then
feeling if I recognize their pain then
feeling if I recognize their pain then what does that make me feel am I giving
what does that make me feel am I giving
what does that make me feel am I giving up my own struggle my own feeling my own
up my own struggle my own feeling my own
up my own struggle my own feeling my own political ideas but it’s nonsense
political ideas but it’s nonsense
political ideas but it’s nonsense because it’s only when you recognize the
because it’s only when you recognize the
because it’s only when you recognize the other that you actually can’t connect
other that you actually can’t connect
other that you actually can’t connect with them this is Rami and Hanan I told
with them this is Rami and Hanan I told
with them this is Rami and Hanan I told you my story but I want to tell you
you my story but I want to tell you
you my story but I want to tell you another story Rami is one of my main
another story Rami is one of my main
another story Rami is one of my main partners in Israel
partners in Israel
partners in Israel he’s a graphic designer grew up as a
he’s a graphic designer grew up as a
he’s a graphic designer grew up as a soldier Israeli soldiers fought in the
soldier Israeli soldiers fought in the
soldier Israeli soldiers fought in the 73 war lost many of his friends in it
73 war lost many of his friends in it
73 war lost many of his friends in it we actually don’t call ourselves friends
we actually don’t call ourselves friends
we actually don’t call ourselves friends we call ourselves brothers because we
we call ourselves brothers because we
we call ourselves brothers because we spent tons of times together
spent tons of times together
spent tons of times together Rami lost his daughters Medora in a
Rami lost his daughters Medora in a
Rami lost his daughters Medora in a suicide bombing in 1997 September 4th a
suicide bombing in 1997 September 4th a
suicide bombing in 1997 September 4th a Palestinian suicide bomber blew up
Palestinian suicide bomber blew up
Palestinian suicide bomber blew up himself and destroyed the bottle that
himself and destroyed the bottle that
himself and destroyed the bottle that Rami lived in however just like my story
Rami lived in however just like my story
Rami lived in however just like my story Rami is very similar
Rami is very similar
Rami is very similar he decided that revenge is not the way
he decided that revenge is not the way
he decided that revenge is not the way and so we partnered together and with
and so we partnered together and with
and so we partnered together and with other Palestinian and Israeli bereaved
other Palestinian and Israeli bereaved
other Palestinian and Israeli bereaved families and said we gonna put an end to
families and said we gonna put an end to
families and said we gonna put an end to this cycle people use our stories and
this cycle people use our stories and
this cycle people use our stories and use us to spread more hatred and more
use us to spread more hatred and more
use us to spread more hatred and more vengeance and we said enough is enough
vengeance and we said enough is enough
vengeance and we said enough is enough our tears are as bitter our pain is the
our tears are as bitter our pain is the
our tears are as bitter our pain is the same and our blood color is the same you
same and our blood color is the same you
same and our blood color is the same you can’t use our stories we are the most
can’t use our stories we are the most
can’t use our stories we are the most justified to seek revenge and we say no
justified to seek revenge and we say no
justified to seek revenge and we say no and we started working together in the
and we started working together in the
and we started working together in the various projects I was just mentioned
various projects I was just mentioned
various projects I was just mentioned couple before moving on but one one of
couple before moving on but one one of
couple before moving on but one one of them was reaching out to the schools to
them was reaching out to the schools to
them was reaching out to the schools to communities to refugee camps or soldiers
communities to refugee camps or soldiers
communities to refugee camps or soldiers and saying we want to come and talk to
and saying we want to come and talk to
and saying we want to come and talk to you and we would go and meet with
you and we would go and meet with
you and we would go and meet with Israeli students and Palestinian
Israeli students and Palestinian
Israeli students and Palestinian students in high schools and it’s
students in high schools and it’s
students in high schools and it’s amazing because these students have
amazing because these students have
amazing because these students have never if the Israeli meta Palestinian
never if the Israeli meta Palestinian
never if the Israeli meta Palestinian before and if the Palestinian have never
before and if the Palestinian have never
before and if the Palestinian have never met an Israeli before isn’t that amazing
met an Israeli before isn’t that amazing
met an Israeli before isn’t that amazing we live minutes away from each other but
we live minutes away from each other but
we live minutes away from each other but they have a lot of ideas about
they have a lot of ideas about
they have a lot of ideas about and the other side and they crazy and
and the other side and they crazy and
and the other side and they crazy and all of that and so when we meet with
all of that and so when we meet with
all of that and so when we meet with them and tell them our story some of
them and tell them our story some of
them and tell them our story some of them will storm out and tell us crazy
them will storm out and tell us crazy
them will storm out and tell us crazy things but we created a connection every
things but we created a connection every
things but we created a connection every year we did 1,000 meetings with Israeli
year we did 1,000 meetings with Israeli
year we did 1,000 meetings with Israeli and Palestinian high school students
and Palestinian high school students
and Palestinian high school students other than community meetings colleges
other than community meetings colleges
other than community meetings colleges police officers refugee camps and
police officers refugee camps and
police officers refugee camps and reaching over 30 to 40,000 people every
reaching over 30 to 40,000 people every
reaching over 30 to 40,000 people every year that’s the way to break that wall
year that’s the way to break that wall
year that’s the way to break that wall that’s a way to break the normal
that’s a way to break the normal
that’s a way to break the normal ignorance and fear that exists we did
ignorance and fear that exists we did
ignorance and fear that exists we did the stuff that we wanted to reach the
the stuff that we wanted to reach the
the stuff that we wanted to reach the media through so for example we we once
media through so for example we we once
media through so for example we we once had some Palestinians across the border
had some Palestinians across the border
had some Palestinians across the border go to Israel and donate the blood to
go to Israel and donate the blood to
go to Israel and donate the blood to Israelis who were wounded by
Israelis who were wounded by
Israelis who were wounded by Palestinians and then we had these
Palestinians and then we had these
Palestinians and then we had these rallies illegally crossing to Palestine
rallies illegally crossing to Palestine
rallies illegally crossing to Palestine and donate the blood to Palestinians who
and donate the blood to Palestinians who
and donate the blood to Palestinians who were wounded and we had a very simple
were wounded and we had a very simple
were wounded and we had a very simple message instead of killing each other we
message instead of killing each other we
message instead of killing each other we can help each other live we can coexist
can help each other live we can coexist
can help each other live we can coexist and we can show it by saying our blood
and we can show it by saying our blood
and we can show it by saying our blood is the same you know it’s funny when I
is the same you know it’s funny when I
is the same you know it’s funny when I tell this around here and the state’s
tell this around here and the state’s
tell this around here and the state’s people would ask me so the blood of
people would ask me so the blood of
people would ask me so the blood of Palestinians and Israelis can mix is it
Palestinians and Israelis can mix is it
Palestinians and Israelis can mix is it is it kosher that is how polarized we
is it kosher that is how polarized we
is it kosher that is how polarized we are it’s not a palestinian-israeli issue
are it’s not a palestinian-israeli issue
are it’s not a palestinian-israeli issue by the way it’s a world issue where the
by the way it’s a world issue where the
by the way it’s a world issue where the moment you have an enemy you you want to
moment you have an enemy you you want to
moment you have an enemy you you want to draw a line and say they’d their we here
draw a line and say they’d their we here
draw a line and say they’d their we here we don’t like them they don’t like us
we don’t like them they don’t like us
we don’t like them they don’t like us and that’s it and that’s not true we
and that’s it and that’s not true we
and that’s it and that’s not true we have way more to work together we have
have way more to work together we have
have way more to work together we have way more that brings us together than
way more that brings us together than
way more that brings us together than separates us three years ago I started
separates us three years ago I started
separates us three years ago I started working with George Mason University and
working with George Mason University and
working with George Mason University and when I moved here one of the things I
when I moved here one of the things I
when I moved here one of the things I realized is the same polarization have a
realized is the same polarization have a
realized is the same polarization have a couple minutes I’m gonna go through
couple minutes I’m gonna go through
couple minutes I’m gonna go through quickly but talk more then I thought the
quickly but talk more then I thought the
quickly but talk more then I thought the polarization is is much more than just
polarization is is much more than just
polarization is is much more than just in Israel Palestine it also exists here
in Israel Palestine it also exists here
in Israel Palestine it also exists here and we wanted to start bringing groups
and we wanted to start bringing groups
and we wanted to start bringing groups to show American Jews Christians Muslims
to show American Jews Christians Muslims
to show American Jews Christians Muslims here students that they can be involved
here students that they can be involved
here students that they can be involved in the saloon
in the saloon
in the saloon instead of the problem and you know
instead of the problem and you know
instead of the problem and you know people go and tour Palestine in Israel
people go and tour Palestine in Israel
people go and tour Palestine in Israel and see you know archaeology and history
and see you know archaeology and history
and see you know archaeology and history stay in nice hotel and never meet a
stay in nice hotel and never meet a
stay in nice hotel and never meet a person and everyone they want to meet a
person and everyone they want to meet a
person and everyone they want to meet a person they’ll go either in a
person they’ll go either in a
person they’ll go either in a Palestinian trip and come back very anti
Palestinian trip and come back very anti
Palestinian trip and come back very anti Israel or go on an Israeli trip and come
Israel or go on an Israeli trip and come
Israel or go on an Israeli trip and come back hating every Jew that ever existed
back hating every Jew that ever existed
back hating every Jew that ever existed and we say that’s not the way so we
and we say that’s not the way so we
and we say that’s not the way so we started an enterprise called mesh
started an enterprise called mesh
started an enterprise called mesh detours to bring people to learn from
detours to bring people to learn from
detours to bring people to learn from each other to bring people that can
each other to bring people that can
each other to bring people that can actually be together and so these are
actually be together and so these are
actually be together and so these are some pictures of some of the groups that
some pictures of some of the groups that
some pictures of some of the groups that brought this is a cab who is a Sufi
brought this is a cab who is a Sufi
brought this is a cab who is a Sufi guide this is the road we visit areas
guide this is the road we visit areas
guide this is the road we visit areas that actually suffer it’s a Jewish town
that actually suffer it’s a Jewish town
that actually suffer it’s a Jewish town that was hit by Palestinian rockets from
that was hit by Palestinian rockets from
that was hit by Palestinian rockets from Gaza this is a guy who does dialogue
Gaza this is a guy who does dialogue
Gaza this is a guy who does dialogue with people from Gaza even though he’s
with people from Gaza even though he’s
with people from Gaza even though he’s being hit by those Rockets and you have
being hit by those Rockets and you have
being hit by those Rockets and you have Palestinians in Gaza part who do the
Palestinians in Gaza part who do the
Palestinians in Gaza part who do the same this is the wall that separates the
same this is the wall that separates the
same this is the wall that separates the two sides and we go and talk and deal
two sides and we go and talk and deal
two sides and we go and talk and deal with these issues from both sides we
with these issues from both sides we
with these issues from both sides we meet the Israelis and Palestinians this
meet the Israelis and Palestinians this
meet the Israelis and Palestinians this is a bedouin guy that normally people go
is a bedouin guy that normally people go
is a bedouin guy that normally people go there and never know that there are bad
there and never know that there are bad
there and never know that there are bad ones who have their own problems by the
ones who have their own problems by the
ones who have their own problems by the way they’re doing projects and solar and
way they’re doing projects and solar and
way they’re doing projects and solar and stuff and getting operations railways
stuff and getting operations railways
stuff and getting operations railways and Palestinians to help them this is a
and Palestinians to help them this is a
and Palestinians to help them this is a Druze family people go there and don’t
Druze family people go there and don’t
Druze family people go there and don’t know what is even Druze these are the
know what is even Druze these are the
know what is even Druze these are the most people who lose family members in
most people who lose family members in
most people who lose family members in that conflict they’re in proportion to
that conflict they’re in proportion to
that conflict they’re in proportion to of their children of these this couple
of their children of these this couple
of their children of these this couple were killed as soldiers Israeli soldiers
were killed as soldiers Israeli soldiers
were killed as soldiers Israeli soldiers this is a Jew militia group who went to
this is a Jew militia group who went to
this is a Jew militia group who went to a Palestinian refugee camp slept two
a Palestinian refugee camp slept two
a Palestinian refugee camp slept two nights in Palestinian homes ate drank
nights in Palestinian homes ate drank
nights in Palestinian homes ate drank everything with them this is what
everything with them this is what
everything with them this is what bringing stereotypes a Christian group
bringing stereotypes a Christian group
bringing stereotypes a Christian group who doing domestic violence issues we
who doing domestic violence issues we
who doing domestic violence issues we don’t only talk about politics
don’t only talk about politics
don’t only talk about politics a rabbi volunteering in an Arab school
a rabbi volunteering in an Arab school
a rabbi volunteering in an Arab school that was vandalized planting a tree
that was vandalized planting a tree
that was vandalized planting a tree together Arabs Jews Muslims interfaith
together Arabs Jews Muslims interfaith
together Arabs Jews Muslims interfaith youth all of that together so what makes
youth all of that together so what makes
youth all of that together so what makes a difference you have normally three
a difference you have normally three
a difference you have normally three options if there is a fire in a building
options if there is a fire in a building
options if there is a fire in a building you have three options of what you can
you have three options of what you can
you have three options of what you can do you either run away which is what
do you either run away which is what
do you either run away which is what most people do you know especially you
most people do you know especially you
most people do you know especially you live in five six thousand miles away why
live in five six thousand miles away why
live in five six thousand miles away why should you care but you know it does
should you care but you know it does
should you care but you know it does affect your life that’s what must be
affect your life that’s what must be
affect your life that’s what must be run away the second you decide to create
run away the second you decide to create
run away the second you decide to create a committee and decide who’s responsible
a committee and decide who’s responsible
a committee and decide who’s responsible for this conflict is it the Israelis or
for this conflict is it the Israelis or
for this conflict is it the Israelis or the Palestinians I think it’s the Brits
the Palestinians I think it’s the Brits
the Palestinians I think it’s the Brits but that’s a different story okay that
but that’s a different story okay that
but that’s a different story okay that laugh is taken from my time and it’s
laugh is taken from my time and it’s
laugh is taken from my time and it’s America and the third option is to bring
America and the third option is to bring
America and the third option is to bring your pocket will fill it with water and
your pocket will fill it with water and
your pocket will fill it with water and then put it on the fire if you don’t
then put it on the fire if you don’t
then put it on the fire if you don’t have a bucket you bring a cup you fill
have a bucket you bring a cup you fill
have a bucket you bring a cup you fill it with water and you put it on the fire
it with water and you put it on the fire
it with water and you put it on the fire and if you don’t have a cup you bring a
and if you don’t have a cup you bring a
and if you don’t have a cup you bring a spoon and you fill it with water and you
spoon and you fill it with water and you
spoon and you fill it with water and you put it on the fire but with really a
put it on the fire but with really a
put it on the fire but with really a person with a spoon be able to end the
person with a spoon be able to end the
person with a spoon be able to end the conflict no but if everyone here is
conflict no but if everyone here is
conflict no but if everyone here is willing to take that spoon if you
willing to take that spoon if you
willing to take that spoon if you willing to take that risk and care a
willing to take that risk and care a
willing to take that risk and care a little bit about what’s happening 5,000
little bit about what’s happening 5,000
little bit about what’s happening 5,000 miles away then it is possible I want to
miles away then it is possible I want to
miles away then it is possible I want to end it’s 40 seconds long so it’s short I
end it’s 40 seconds long so it’s short I
end it’s 40 seconds long so it’s short I want you to see this video and this
want you to see this video and this
want you to see this video and this video is my hope and vision for what’s
video is my hope and vision for what’s
video is my hope and vision for what’s possible in Israel Palestine
so the cool thing I can sell throw rocks
so the cool thing I can sell throw rocks just not at people we can do this we can
just not at people we can do this we can
just not at people we can do this we can play baseball thank you
”
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