From the Ground: The Real Israel-Palestine

Post-Birthright Analysis: The Arab-Israeli Perspective

(Editor’s Note: In the coming days, we will feature several different “Post-Birthright Analysis” posts about different aspects of the trip. Some will be from guest writers).

During the past couple days in Jatt we’ve met many Arab Israelis, almost all of whom have asked us the same question: What brings you here?

We explain that we came on a Birthright trip (known here by it’s Hebrew name— Taglit), but decided to extend our trip in an effort to get a better view of the reality of the situation.

Naturally, the idea of our “birthright” is bothersome to Arab Israelis, many of whom can trace their families’ residence here for hundreds of years, but after hearing our reasons for taking the trip they have unanimously praised our open-mindedness and desire to explore the issues for ourselves.

“Being both Arab and an Israeli citizen, we’re used to seeing both sides of the conflict,” Lutfia’s brother Mosoud told us.

“Although we may disagree with many of their ideas, Taglit sounds like an amazing program and a powerful experience,” said another family member.

The Arab Israelis we’ve met in the last few days seem to be overwhelmingly reasonable, open-minded and intelligent.