So many things come to mind when you think about Tel Aviv, non-stop energy, pristine beaches, thriving nightlife, diversity, savoir-faire, and the beautiful sunsets. You do not usually think about wars, conflict, death, The city has good vibes and it’s contagious and infects whoever visits it. The last month after a long day between the university and helping out at a special event at EMIS school inciting the “Zero Waste” program with the green team and CRC, I decided to stop by the beach and watch the sunset before heading back home to the West Bank.
BY: CRC AMBASSADOR MOHA ALSHAWAMREH
Coastline, Tel Aviv September 2019. | Photo by: Moha Alshawamreh
As usual, it was so beautiful; I love watching those beautiful sunsets inTel Aviv where the sky painted with that gorgeous array of hues! As I was sitting in peace enjoying the beautiful sunset by Jerusalem beach in Tel Aviv, my day was interrupted by a police officer who racially profiled me, asking where I came from.
I understood what he asked because I hear those repeated questions multiple times daily, but still, my Hebrew ability is limited, so with a big smile on my face, I told him, "I'm from the West Bank, Shtakhim!.
I do not speak Hebrew, could you please speak English?" which he did not like or believe then he started mumbling Hebrew, I understood the word "teudat zehut" which means ID, as I was reaching for my wallet to show him my ID and permit. I was asking him to treat me with respect and speak in English, which he didn't like apparently, so he shouted at me, pushed me down to the point where Ifellthengrabbed my wallet by himself and started looking through it for my ID. I didn't react to what he did.
Still, what surprised me, that a group of pedestrians. They saw what happened and responded to what he did, defended me. They did not care where I'm from and started telling the police officer what he did was wrong and asking to be kind, and not to do what he did especially that I was complying with everything he requested, from what they said I still remember the word "mamash lo yoffi."
As the police officer left another two came on a motorbike, the pedestrians started complaining to them about what the other guy did to me, especially that they witnessed did nothing wrong and did everything he said. Instead of helping the situation, those two police officers abused their power, telling me that with my "student visa" I'm not allowed to leave campus and go to other places e.g.
beach, so I did not care where I'm from with the mand asked the mountain me if I did anything wrong, so they made me wait a while, but eventually, they left as they realized they couldn't do anything.
I sat on the bench with the pedestrians, who were asking if I was okay, offering help. Eventually, most left after they made sure that I'm okay.
Tel-Aviv sunset , September 2019 | Photo by: Moha Alshawamreh
And left sitting next to a kind warm-hearted old lady who kept speaking (in Hebrew), I understood some of what she was saying, she didn't let me go until she spoke with one of my Israeli friends over the phone, explaining to him what happened and asking him to help me. Before I left, she gave me a banana to eat and told me if I need anything, she always sits on the same bench there. I'd never forge her for what she did. She has a kind soul and a beautiful heart. As I left I couldn't help but think about what those pedestrians did, they were Israeli Jewish, they did not know me, I'm Palestinian, why would they do that, why would they help me! In the past year that I lived in Israel.
I met so many kind people and have been through many similar incidents, which changed my mindset and the way I think. It's not all black and white. Thinking life only has either a perfect or a terrible side will not allow the story and see if there is more than what it presents itself. We judge people based on their color or religion, and ethnicity, but we ignore the human condition that does not correspond to its beliefs! The prejudice ideas, BDS, and me diamond both sides don't help, and at her divide us, we should be the change and the hope that brings us together and challenge even the most socially unexpected ideas.
We should never limit ourselves because then we will never be able to enjoy unexpected and undiscovered gray areas of life and the other beautiful colors. Jewish or Muslims, Israelis, or Palestinians, we are all the same, humans! Once we break down those walls of hate and prejudice, I'm sure we will live in peace, coexist, and love one another. Simple acts of kindness like the pedestrians can change ideas, can change people, can turn hate into love, which will eventually offer hope and new dawn for both of our nations to coexist in peace. What happened on that beach is proof that it is possible, baby steps, but who cares as long as we are going to get to that point eventually.
Moha Alshawamreh