Cultures, Stories & Identities by Group 7

Hadeel Fayed

When I was in the first class, I was playing with my classmate and we were very happy. Then a boy from the school came to us and he was making fun of us, and he said to me: you’re not supposed to play with this girl; She is a Christian girl. I felt very weird and I remember that I was very confused and I kept asking my mom about this subject and she told me that every one of us has a religion and we should be friends with everyone even if they are not from the same religion.

Asemo Mola

My all life I grew up in a religious home and in a religious environment, a kind of incubator where everyone kept the Shabbath and Kosher, but when I went abroad for the first time as part of a high school delegation, I suddenly realized that not everyone does.  What I saw upset me a lot because it was part of my identity and discovering it was something that was not easy.

Jihan Khateeb

Since I was a child, I have always avoided situations that can make me talk about my identity, especially in school. In my school, students who did not introduce themselves as Israelis got bullied by other students. Last year I traveled to Jordan with my siblings. While we were there, we met many people who asked us about our ethnicity. Unfortunately, whenever I told someone that we are 48-Arabs I didn’t feel comfortable, and I was afraid that someone would judge us. However, many of them were nice and welcoming. It was a great experience that I did not know I needed a long time ago.

Mera Maheliy

I remember once there was a group of people who have a special page for fans of a certain series, I decided to join, but first of all, they asked me about where I am from, I told them that I am one of the 48 Arab in Israel then they told that we wouldn’t enter people from this country and they recognized without knowing me that I am extremely Israeli.

Also, I remember when I was in elementary school I used to play local basketball unfortunately when we were having a game with jews from the moment we enter the hall they start laughing.

Matan Yitzhaki

Whenever people ask me about my ethnic group (are you Yaman Indian…) my answer will always be the same… I’m none of them I’m Israeli… At first, people and friends always see my reply as something Pretentious and condescending. I always had and still have to explain why I don’t keep my ancestor’s identity. The explanation is easy – I’m not my ancestor, I born and raised in Israel and I’m more Israeli than any other ethnic group.

Uri Bilmes

I played baseball in a local league and missed all the games on the Sabbath. Everyone else was always upset when I didn’t come (I was very good), and couldn’t understand why I couldn’t participate in the Saturday games. This forced me to explain my religion and identity to others and defend my values.