why us-palestinian families are having conflict

Palestinian Americans are on Edge After String of Anti-Palestinian Incidents

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In the wake of the tragic shooting of three Palestinian American college students in Burlington, Vermont, and a string of other recent anti-Palestinian incidents, members of the Palestinian American community across the United States are expressing growing concerns about their safety and the safety of their loved ones.

A Rising Tide of Fear

Samer Elbandak, a Palestinian-American Christian who immigrated to the United States from Bethlehem 30 years ago, recently found himself having a difficult conversation with his 16-year-old daughter in Florida. The conversation stemmed from the shooting of Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, three 20-year-old Palestinian American students, in Burlington on Thanksgiving weekend.

Elbandak’s daughter is vocal about her Palestinian heritage and proudly displays the Palestinian flag on her Instagram page. While he has always encouraged her to embrace her identity, the recent surge in anti-Palestinian violence has left him feeling uneasy.

“I explained to her that she needed to be very careful,” Elbandak said. “There are some people that are blind and that are full of hatred.”

Elbandak’s experience is not unique. Many Palestinian American parents are having similar conversations with their children, a reflection of the growing fear and anxiety within the community.

Not-Isolated Incidents

The Burlington shooting is not an isolated incident. Since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October, there have been numerous reports of anti-Palestinian harassment and violence across the United States.

• In Illinois, a six-year-old Palestinian boy was murdered in what prosecutors believe was a targeted attack.
• The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has documented a surge in anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias incidents, recording over 2,100 requests for help since October.
• A Harvard professor’s wife was caught on video harassing a student for wearing a keffiyeh.
• A man wearing a keffiyeh was allegedly assaulted while at a playground with his son in Brooklyn, New York.
• A Yemeni-American Muslim woman was targeted on the New York subway by a man who called her a “terrorist,” hit her, and broke a Palestinian flag she was carrying.

Roots of the Problem

Ayah Zaki, a civil rights attorney with CAIR, attributes the recent rise in anti-Palestinian sentiment to a combination of factors, including:

• Prejudices against Arabs and Muslims that have existed in the United States since the 9/11 attacks.
• The divisive political discourse surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict.
• There is a general climate of intolerance and discrimination in the United States.

Resilience in the Face of Fear

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Despite the fear and frustration, the Palestinian American community is also demonstrating remarkable resilience. In the aftermath of the Burlington shooting, two vigils were held back-to-back in the city to honor the victims. And some, like Elbandak’s daughter, are choosing to wear their keffiyehs with even greater pride as a symbol of solidarity and resistance.

The recent surge in anti-Palestinian violence is a disturbing trend that must be addressed. It is important to remember that Palestinian Americans are just as American as any other group, and they deserve to live in a country where they feel safe and respected.

Call to Action

We must all work together to combat anti-Palestinian prejudice and discrimination. This includes:

• Speaking out against hate speech and violence.
• Educating ourselves and others about Palestinian history and culture.
• Supporting organizations that are working to protect the rights of Palestinian Americans.

By working together, we can create a more just and inclusive society for all.