Photo Courtesy of Interviewee, Building belonging to their family members

Palestinian student speaks of personal experiences, culture and GoFundMe to student body.

BY ERICA MUNISAR, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Fourth Estate interviewed a Palestinian student at George Mason University who started a GoFundMe to help their family members in Gaza, Palestine. The student, whose identity is protected, was asked to share their personal experiences as a Palestinian student, culture and GoFundMe page.

What is your personal connection to Palestine?

I’m originally Palestinian. I am from a city called Haifa. During the Nakba [mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948], part of my family moved to somewhere called Tulkarem, Palestine and some went to another country, Jordan. 

What personal experiences have you had relating to recent events in Palestine?

I have two families that I knew that were in Gaza. One of those people have passed away in the beginning of the war. She was one of my very close best friends. 

The other person is alive in Gaza who I’m trying to get out. As you know, I’ve created a GoFundMe link for her, but it has affected me in so many ways. I’m constantly stressing and have anxiety. It has affected the way I’m studying. I have no motivation to do a lot of things.

Not to mention that since the war started, I have not been feeling safe anywhere I go. I mean, no one can really know that I’m Palestinian if I don’t mention it. But, the fact that I’m wearing a hijab [and] the way I dress is just a red flag for people to know that “she’s Muslim…” like a main target.

Could you tell us more about your GoFundMe page and its purpose?

I created the GoFundMe for my family member. I grew up with her since I was five years old. We were always together, and once the war started I tried to get her out in the beginning and I wasn’t able to. 

The last [method] that I had was to make a GoFundMe to be able to get her and her family out. Now recently, my best friend that I’m trying to get out has hepatitis A. Her sister just gave birth to a newborn. Her mom has diabetes and blood pressure issues and it’s so hard to find the medication for her mom. 

The baby is not able to get any vaccines. As you know, formula is very hard to get. Not to mention, even if they did find formula, clean water for the baby is very hard to find. And since the baby doesn’t get any vaccines, she’s very high risk at any type of viruses all around. 

And then she has her two brothers who have become very weak since there’s no food. 

The only food that she has been able to get in a day is like a pack of noodles. My best friend has lost about maybe 20 kg. [44 lbs.] since the beginning of the war to be where she is about five [feet] seven [inches] at 40 kg [88 lbs.]. I’m not sure how much that is in pounds, but very low for someone that is five-seven.

What support have you received related to the GoFundMe?

I haven’t received that much support, [but] I’m very grateful for everyone who has been [supporting me]. My friends have been spreading the word for me. You know, people around ask me where I’m from and when I tell them the problems they’re like, “How are we able to help?” And I’m very grateful for the support I’ve been getting, but that’s basically it, like me telling people about it.

Is there anything you would like to share about Palestinian culture? 

Photo Courtesy of Interviewee, Al-Aqsa Mosque

Palestinian culture is very, very pretty. It’s one the most unique cultures in my opinion. Palestinians are one of the most sweet, caring and generous people I’ve ever known. And I’m not even saying this because I’m Palestinian. Even though I [came here], whenever we would go back to Palestine, I would see the love and the care from everyone that lives there, and everyone just wanting to help out and tell us where to go and, you know, give us all these types of advice.

Personally, I think the whole country itself is so beautiful to go to and it feels so special to me whenever we are there.

It is so pretty. Especially when you go to Jerusalem, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, it’s one of the most beautiful mosques I’ve ever seen. It glows. The top of the mosque glows at night and it has a beautiful effect. It’s very nice to the eye.

Do you have a message you would like to share to the student body?

Any type of help towards any family that is in need is very appreciated. I know I’m not the only person out there that needs help to get their loved ones out of Gaza. So, any dollar, any word spreading [and] sharing could help someone in need to get them out safely and somewhere safe.