Today, when it comes to Palestinians and Israelis interacting with each other, there tends to be more hate and judgment than constructive dialogue. The reality is there are many similarities between cultures, and that should be explored and celebrated. Being Palestinian in a town with a large Jewish population can be somewhat intimidating. I don’t feel threatened, however. I’m not always sure what I can and cannot say about myself, my family and my heritage, so I don’t say anything. These issues are, of course, complicated by the current war in Gaza.
When juniors Sebi Levi and Amir Tomer and sophomore Kais Al-Fakhuri created the Coexisting Club, they filled a gap for students like me who are eager to speak with Jewish and Israeli peers in this crucial time. I am so excited for us to come together as a group with the goal of respectful dialogue in a safe space, and I am hopeful this club will meet that expectation going forward. My mother often tells me stories of my great-grandfather playing cards and interacting peacefully with his Jewish neighbors in his hometown of Ramallah. Some of the stories are funny, like the time my great-grandfather purchased keffiyehs in bulk from a Jewish vendor because it was the fairest price. Some are less interesting; everyone cheats at Backgammon, apparently. These stories mean a lot to me now in the context of the current violence. The Middle East hasn’t always been a hateful, violent region, and my family carries a memory of this coexistence between Muslims, Christians and Jews.
I think this club is taking a huge step in the right direction in promoting peace rather than hate. There is no better place for unity than Brookline High School, where so many students are personally connected to Israel and Palestine. Sometimes, it even feels as though we are setting an example for the adults. I hope more people will see that the lack of connection in this world is a problem and will actively seek to understand new perspectives. If we talk about the history of coexistence together, it can help us imagine a better future. If we sit together as students and have small, meaningful conversations today, we might be able to change things on a larger scale tomorrow.
