We started the day by having class by the pool (rough life, I know). A classmate told us the story why her host mom, a teacher at a local Arab High School, does not wear a hijab (head covering). She explained how she wanted to, and even tried it for a couple weeks against her husband's will. Contrary to the stereotype, it was her husband who explained to her how much he hates the idea of a hijab- how in his mind, it's sexist, ugly, and unnecessary. Because this head covering was now causing her martial problems, she decided to stop wearing it. When she told the principal of the school that she was going to stop wearing it, the principal told her she couldn't. This action would send a controversial, confusing messaged to the students. It would be okay if she chose not to wear it all, or wear it all the time, but nothing in between. The next school semester, the principal let her go without the hijab. But deep down, she still wants to wear it. Below is something to think about. (Of course this can apply to other religions too, like Jewish orthodoxy).
When I went to Baqa today, I was very much effected by what my host family was telling me.
My host sister's cousin asked me why I am moving to Israel, and if I like it better than the States. I told her (without thinking about it), I love Israel because I don't feel like a minority here. It's the only place in the world I am part of a majority, and feel truly at home. After I said that, I felt almost guilty. Here I am, an American-Canadian, who can become a citizen of this country because I am at least 1/8 Jewish (the same fraction of Jewish descent that Hitler used to kill Jews in Nazi Germany) and be treated as an equal here. Yes of course I will be treated slightly differently, at least at the beginning, but most likely not in a negative way. I was sitting across a table from 3 Palestinians who have lived here for generations and are treated as second-class citizens. When I asked one my host sisters if she ever dreamed of a state with full equality she responded,"We don't have the right to dream, because it's never gonna happen." My heart sank. She continued on telling me how she went recruiting agency to help her find a job. The recruiter was Arab, but told her that if she wanted to find a job in Israel, in a mall as she desired, she would need to stop wearing her "jilbab" (long conservative jacket). She said the hijab was okay, but no one would hire her with a full Muslim outfit. She got so discouraged, she gave up the job search right away.
Another girl at the table (one of their cousins) further continued on how the Palestinians are a minority everywhere. They are a minority in Israel, but also in the W. Bank, and in other Arab countries. In the W. Bank, where the Palestinians there do not have Israeli citizenship, they look at the Israeli-Arabs differently. I was shocked when the cousin told me Arabs there will even speak to them in Hebrew, even while wearing their head coverings.
I completely empathize with them, I first-hand know what it feels like to be a minority in a larger society. At the same time, I do consider myself a Zionist. I believe in a Jewish homeland. So what needs to be done to address this idea of second-class treatment? Is it okay?
After this full politically charged conversation, they still invited me to their cousin's wedding on Saturday :).. and I can't wait!!
P.O.F.N. (peace out for now)
J
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