In 2023, My journey to war-stricken Palestine altered my perspective of my life in ways I never could have imagined.

I was selected for a Young Scholar Conference at BirZeit University, Palestine. Planning my visit to Palestine was full of challenges and uncertainties, such as securing a multiple entry visa for Jordan, Palestinian permits, and other logistical preparations to reach Jericho, Palestine by road from the Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan.

To enter Palestine from Jordan, everyone has to cross the Allenby Bridge. The bridge is controlled by Israeli Airport authorities, scrutinizing, questioning and further demeaning every move of the people who are trying to cross the bridge. Looking at my identity and place of birth, (Tripoli, Libya) I was also subjected to discriminatory scrutiny by the Israeli authorities. The immigration officer seemed skeptical of my visit, took away my passport, and made me wait for more than 8 hours. This not only left me vulnerable and helpless but triggered my fear about the upcoming uncertainties in Palestine.

The Palestinian rights to self-determination have been taken away by the colonial settlements since 1948, resulting in a conflicted zone. Once I crossed the Allenby Bridge, I experienced the tormenting conditions of the Palestinians, which they have been subjected to since 1948. The consistent crackdown on random cars and people at every checkpoint by the colonial settlers limits Palestinian mobility. Moreover, congested refugee camps devoid of any basic facilities, the scar of settler violence, Palestinian resistance martyrdom, and continuous displacement shocked me to the core. I failed to understand how a human can suppress another human being without showcasing any sense of humility, guilt, or repentance.

I further extended my stay to conduct an ethnographic study of the refugee camps and the construction of walls. Throughout my visits, the wounds of conflict ran deep, venturing into the heart of the camps, I witnessed the plight of the innocent and underaged taken away by Israeli military forces. In one tragic incident, a young child fell victim to senseless violence, a casualty of Israeli aggression. With every fresh visit to the refugee camps, I was reminded of the brutality endured by the Palestinians.

The crackdown of the colonial settlers on the refugee camps, resulting in the sound of gunfire, the closing of all the checkpoints, and the restricting of any inter-city mobility, followed by mass protests, made me too vulnerable and terrified to continue further with my ethnographic research. However, Palestinian hospitality saved me from this horrific situation, where a family took me into their house for the remainder of my stay in Palestine. The head of the family, Nu, comforted me, fed me, and kept me safe amidst all this conflict. It not only left a strong emotional impression, but a longing desire to meet Nu again one day.

My time in Palestine left a lasting impact on me, making me more empathetic and determined to make a difference. As a teacher and scholar focusing on forced migration, I’m committed to raising awareness and using education to create a better world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.