A Hope For a Better Tomorrow: @OccPal-Gaza’s Story

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Ryan Kirkpatrick, Staff Writer

It’s absolutely incredible that in this day and age, social media is a lexicon of our daily life. When I was around the age of 5, I still remember using my mom’s gargantuan, blocky computer, waiting anxiously for the dial-up to complete. The beeps and whistles still echo throughout my ears. Never would I ever imagine websites where we could share our feelings at the whim of a fingertip, rapidly sharing information at the speed of our wireless connection.

 

Twitter is this site, and Twitter is an amazing social tool. While I do happen to indulge in the vice of posting song lyrics and my thoughts on the Bills perpetually being sub-par (it’s been 15 years with no playoffs, but I digress), I find it to be a great tool for social activism. Hashtags have revolutionized the way we think and act. Thanks to them, I’ve discovered so many things I can’t say I was aware of before. Twitter, in a way, has become a news source tailored to my views and interests. And thanks to Twitter, it’s given me a new understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

I first discovered @OccPal-Gaza’s Twitter (in respect to her anonymity, I’ve decided to keep her name hidden) in June, a few days before Operation Protective Edge was initiated. I messaged her, curious about life in Palestine. She had actually attended college in New York City. While we didn’t correspond much during the rounds of airstrikes that destroyed much of Gaza, she was brave enough to tweet the locations of bombings and the names of the dead, giving a glimpse into the life of an innocent Gazan. Thankfully, she and her family survived Protective Edge. I recently caught up with her, and she was more than happy to be interviewed for the Johnny Green.

 

RK: Tell me about yourself: What’s your life like in Gaza? How does it differentiate from life of your average American?

 

OPG: Well, it is a lot less complicated in Gaza than in America. I think we spend much more time with family because we have little electricity and very few places to go. We have seen so much death and destruction, it really changes your ideas of what is important and what is not. I think children here have more responsibilities and grow up faster but I think American youth have more stress and pressures than we do.

 

RK: When you heard about the kidnapping of the three Israeli teens, what were your immediate thoughts?

 

OPG: I said a prayer [that] they would be found safe. I thought, “What if it were my brother who was missing?” and how scared I would be for him.

 

RK: Would you mind describing your political views?

 

OPG: I support Fatah and I support a secular government. I don’t think Hamas has done a good job governing here and there are many things that can be fixed even though there is a blockade. They do not treat everyone equally and are very harsh with people who are not members. I think Fatah is more moderate even though they are a resistance group. They have always been inclusive and kept their allegiance to Palestine and not anyone else.

RK: What was your first reaction to the airstrikes? Was there anything you could do to protect yourself from them?

OPG: My first reaction was, “Oh, another air strike.” Since they happen pretty often here I didn’t think much about it. After they kept bombing in the first hour we knew it was [the] start of something bad. I was worried of course but there is nowhere to go and no protection. Israel tells us to stay away from Hamas but how to do that? How do you know who is walking next to you on the street or in the same supermarket? They bombed homes and killed people in buildings because a Hamas member had dinner there! They use this excuse to justify civilian deaths. It makes me angry because how can they murder children like this?

RK: When the ground invasion began, what were your thoughts? Did any Israeli soldiers personally affect you during this time?

OPG: I was very worried when the ground invasion started. My husband was a political prisoner for 5 years (he was arrested when he had just turned 17 years old). I was scared they would occupy us again like they used to and he would be taken or killed. The ground invasion didn’t affect me personally, though (except for extended family having to evacuate their homes). I could hear the tank shelling very close. I would rather die by an air strike because it is quick- I think with gunshot or by tank would be more horrible and long.

RK: After the withdrawal of ground troops, how did the people of Gaza feel?

OPG: It was very good when the troops left. It is hard to have your enemy who is trying to kill you within your borders. This is OUR home and they have no right to come inside it. People were more relaxed when they left but we also worried they would just bomb everything and Gaza would be leveled. We didn’t know what their plan was.

RK: When the truce was finally signed, formally ending Operation Protective Edge, how did you feel?

OPG: It was mixed emotions. I was so happy of course that the bombings would stop but at the same time after reading the agreement, I was angry. So many people dead, so many injured, homes gone and destruction everywhere. And for what? It is [the] same conditions from 2012 ceasefire and nothing changed then either. A few extra miles for fishing that they take away when they want is all we “won”. Not a single Palestinian life is worth that. Not one! So I am mad at Hamas for this. Why didn’t they accept the offer the first time it was presented to them?

RK: What will rebuilding Gaza take?

OPG: Rebuilding will take so much money and time. Many people still have not been able to rebuild from [the] 2008 war. The borders, especially with Egypt, need to be opened to allow goods in. I don’t even know if we should even bother to rebuild because soon another war will come again and we [will] have to do it all over.

RK: Do you believe in a one or two-state solution? Do you see this happening soon?

OPG: I believe in one state with equal rights for both people but I know that will not happen so I support a two state solution. I think with the right leadership it can happen in under 10 years but it will take a lot of sacrifice and a lot of political maneuvering.

RK: Do you think the governments of Hamas and Fatah can reconcile so Gaza is under control of the Palestinian Authority?

OPG: I think the chances of [the] PA coming back are 70%. There are a lot of things being done internally at [the] PA; getting ready for the changeover is a good sign. The main issue is [that] Hamas wants money and will not allow a takeover [of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority] to happen until they get it.

RK: What do you think should be done concerning the rise of ISIS/ISIL in Syria and Iraq?

OPG: I think it is up to individual countries to take care of them inside their borders. I don’t agree with international bombing campaigns because it only breeds more animosity for the West and raises support for ISIS just like it did with al-Qaeda.

RK: What’s your favorite thing about Gaza? The West Bank? Being Palestinian in general?

OPG: My favourite thing about Gaza is our love of family. We have an extended family system and we take care of each other. In one building almost 50 members of my family live in different flats [apartments]. If anyone needs anything such as money, a babysitter, anything- help is always there. Other than that I love the sea. I sit on my balcony and watch it every day. It is so beautiful and serene.

In the West Bank my favourite thing is Jerusalem, but I have never been. It is so ancient and full of history. All of the West Bank is so rich in history, as is Gaza. Everywhere you find ancient ruins, 600 year old mosques and churches. It reminds me how strong our people are and how strong we have to be in order to be free.

Best thing about being Palestinian? Having so much support around the world. People from everywhere tell me how much they love us and support us. That makes us remember we are not alone in this struggle.

RK: How can the average American teen help Palestinians displaced by conflict?

OPG: I think the best way for an American teen to help is to spread awareness. Teach others what is happening here [in Gaza]. Spread our message to others with love and understanding.

RK: Is there anything you’d like to say in closing?

OPG: Thank you so much for your interest in Palestine. It is reassuring to see and gives me hope for the future of this world. Perhaps with people like you, we can achieve world peace one day.