My Son Looks Beautiful in His Sister’s Dresses
How can we teach our children to resist what is wrong in society - while still protecting them? Boys in dresses and girls at demonstrations.Two and a half-year old Adam…
Flying Checkpoints and Traffic Jams: The Genius of the Israeli Occupation’s Architecture
The driver who cut me off really did behave like an idiot. But he wasn’t the one who built the wall or closed the tunnel. I finished a work meeting…
For an Israeli Married to a Palestinian, No Family Reunification
Even if Osama were to get an entry permit into Israel, how realistic would it be for us to move there based on temporary permits? June 1, 2020 I requested…
Bad Guys and Sick Hamsters: Leaving Ramallah for a Foray Into Israel
For the first time after two months of corona-closure, we were leaving the West Bank to visit close friends in the Israeli city of Holon. “Forat, brush your teeth so…
When Israel Allows the Palestinian Authorities to “Manage” the Virus
Stuck at home, no daycare, my toddler chatters in English, Hebrew and Arabic, while I try to get some work done and keep us safe. No child careIt’s my turn to…
In Palestine, One Pandemic Mistake Is Irreversible
Supermarket workers push customers out as 5 P.M. approaches. ‘Police,’ they whisper apologetically to those who seem surprised at their uncharacteristic strictness on lockdown rules. Zoom Kindergarten The animated boy…
Social Distancing in Ramallah, I Worry About Our Elderly Mothers in N.Y.C. and Gaza
In Palestine, people believed basic goods would remain available, despite the coronavirus – and so they did. Mistrust of the authorities and faith limit precautions On March 23, the first…
How Coronavirus Is Making Israelis and Palestinians Equal
'Israel is obviously behind this,' Osama said, speaking of the West Bank going under closure due to the coronavirus. 'And maybe it’s for the best' The corona virus infects people…
‘Today We Must Dress in the Colors of the Palestinian Flag’
My daughter’s kindergarten is making a video about nationalities. It’s a complicated topic for us. Her father and I can’t even drive the same car I came home at 4…
My Parenting Challenge: Protecting My Two-year-old from Tear Gas
I went for a morning run with my son in a stroller and felt my eyes and throat burn. Tear gas thrown by Israeli soldiers. “Aaaaaaahhhhhh!” Adam’s voice. I heard…