Arabic teacher recounts ordeal

One of the most complex conflicts in today’s world is that of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The conflict between Israel and Palestine has been going on since 1948 when the United Nations granted Jews land in the disputed territory of Palestine/Israel. This 60 year old conflict continues today as it in a standoff with both sides pointing fingers at each other. Palestinians blame the Israelis and Israelis blame the Palestinians for their loss.


Arabic teacher Khitam Omar, who has been teaching at AHS for 10 years, lived in Palestine/Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War, which was between Israel and the Arab nations of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Omar was a young girl in middle school during this time. As history presents, often times, citizens of a country are unprepared for the turmoil war brings and are taken by surprise when the war begins. Omar was also surprised in her at the sight of the first Israeli truck when all of life that she knew ended—no more school or playing outside.


Omar’s family originally lived in Haifa before the 1948 war when they were forced to move to the West Bank.
Approximately 700,000 Palestinians were displaced from the 1948 War and about 280,000 to 350,000 became refugees during the Six-Day War in 1967. For Omar, watching the disappointment on her father’s face and losing her home was the most heartbreaking.


“It’s so sad to see your father with the key to your home and know that you can’t go.” She continues, her voice breaking, “You can’t go—can’t and won’t see your home.”


Omar comes from a wealthy family. She described her mother as “playing with gold.” Since food and supplies were limited during this time, many Palestinians had to wait for food to come in. Omar recalls the day when, according to her, all her dignity was stripped as she awaited in line for a cup of milk.


“I stood in that line, waiting, waiting for a cup of milk. Then I asked myself, “What am I doing? What am I doing standing here?” she continued, in a more somber tone, “I was just in middle school,” she pauses, “and I was humiliated. Humiliated.”
The conflict is often affiliated with “Judaism vs. Islam” or “Muslims against Jews.” But for Omar, no such aspect exists.


“It’s not about religion. How could it be about religion? My math teacher was Jewish. I didn’t have a problem with her. Islam and Judaism have a lot of similarities. Prophet Muhammad said that everyone is equal like the teeth of a comb," said Omar.


When asked about the current situation in Palestine/Israel, she responded with her tone serious and emotionless, “I see history unfolding itself. Back then I was young, I didn’t understand. Now I can analyze and see it happen all over again,” said Omar.


Despite her losses, Omar considers herself as “one of the lucky ones.” Many Palestinians after this war flee to the neighboring Arab countries, Syria and Lebanon where they were taken as refugees.


“The unlucky ones have to live in camps where they are not recognized as anything,” She pauses and then stares off saying, “I have the lucky story to tell. I survived, came here. I’m one of the lucky ones.”


Although the war reminds Omar of dark days, she is proud of where she comes from and holds no bitterness about her childhood.


“I live and dream in Palestine everyday. It’s who I am, where I come from. I wouldn’t want my childhood any other way,” said Kamara.
One can only hope that the continuing conflict between the two nations will end soon.