A Visit From Gaza, Also Known As the Other Side of the Moon
Opportunities for relatives to visit from Gaza are the rarest of pleasures – even if they’re often shrouded in sorrow. My kids met their aunt. In 2012, the Israeli restrictions…
For Palestinian Kids, the Occupation Childhood Becomes a Pandemic Childhood, Too
Kids from east Jerusalem take on their parents’ fears of losing their residency rights. The stress of the corona virus pandemic doesn’t make things easier. Three-year old Adam was screaming.…
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…
I Went for a Run and Saw Settlers Took Over a Spring Near a Palestinian Village
On a morning run, I discovered that settlers took over a spring that Ein Qinya is known for, on lands belonging to a Palestinian family Every time I return from…
When I Shout at My Daughter in Hebrew, It Reminds My Husband of Israeli Prison
I never consciously decided to speak Hebrew with my daughter, but it became a kind of connection between her and me, like our private language “Imaaaaaaa!” As usual, Forat awoke…