The journalist Maria Rashed, who grew up in Israel as a Palestinian citizen and experienced the challenges of living in that context, emphasizes in her article published in The Guardian that supporting Palestinians’ right to resist and end occupation can occur without endorsing Hamas.
Maria Rashed / Guardian
ne thing that unites Palestinians is that our journey is never easy or smooth. To be a Palestinian citizen in Israel is exceptionally challenging – especially at the moment, when people expect you to take a clear, one-sided stance. I am forced to constantly question where I truly belong, feeling nowhere and everywhere simultaneously.
I was born and raised in Nazareth in a Christian family. Later, I moved to Tel Aviv, living in a diverse community with Arabs and Jews. Although I was born in Israel, I struggle to identify fully with a country that views me as a second-class citizen, publicly speaks against Arabs, oppresses Palestinians – and the list goes on.
I do not condone violence in the name of religion. I cannot endorse or identify with Hamas’s attack on innocent civilians on 7 October. Despite being a proud Palestinian who supports oppressed communities and actively speaks out against Israeli occupation and colonialism, this attack on Israeli civilians does not align with my beliefs – I condemn killing civilians and deeply mourn the loss of lives among Palestinians and Israelis.
Taking a stand as a Palestinian may seem complicated, but Hamas doesn’t speak for me. Hamas fails to represent Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and around the world. While the world often frames this “conflict” as Israel versus Palestine or Judaism versus Islam, the reality is much more complicated. This is about the people, not leaders who show no concern for civilians. Let’s be clear: one can support Palestinians’ right to resist and end the occupation without supporting Hamas.
Many of my Israeli friends are affected by this attack, and the fact that friends of friends are still missing or dead breaks my heart. Facing such an attack at a party or in the safety of one’s home is unimaginable. The situation becomes even more devastating when we reflect on the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, where nearly half of the population are children. The stark contrast is that Israelis have the option to run away, while Palestinians in Gaza are trapped: they have no way to escape. It was surreal to hear Benjamin Netanyahu’s order to evacuate: how does one leave an open-air prison?
The idea that anyone would celebrate the deaths of innocent people – whether Israeli or Gazan – puzzles me. Empathy should be universal. Hate will only lead to more hate, causing further suffering. Unfortunately, leaders from all sides, including Hamas, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, are displaying no real concern for their people.
You can read the full article here.