Whether trapped inside Gaza or out, the world is shrinking for Palestinians | Plestia Alaqad

As Gazans, we are constantly reminded of our confinement - whether it's the physical borders that trap us in a tiny strip of land or the invisible barriers that prevent us from entering the world beyond. According to Plestia Alaqad, her life has become defined by visa rejections and endless hours spent waiting at airport counters. She recounts how Palestinian passports are treated with suspicion, as if written in an alien language.

For Alaqad, this is not just a personal struggle but a collective one. The world's response to Palestine's plight is characterized by double standards - we are seen as a security risk only when we're alive, yet our humanity becomes visible only through suffering. The tragedy of Gaza, often framed as a humanitarian crisis, overshadows the daily struggles of its residents.

As Alaqad notes, winter in Gaza has become synonymous with displacement and hardship. Thousands of families huddle together for warmth, their tents not designed to withstand the elements. It's a stark contrast to the romanticized notion of Palestinian life that often prevails in international discourse.

Beyond the confines of Gaza, Palestinians face another form of confinement - identity politics. Alaqad wonders aloud how someone with a Western passport can enjoy unfettered freedom, while she needs mountains of paperwork simply to prove her existence. This dichotomy exposes the hypocrisy and prejudice that underlies global attitudes toward Palestine.

Ultimately, Alaqad poses a haunting question: where should we go if we're no longer welcome in our own homeland? The world seems more fearful of us as refugees than it is of the wars and genocides that create such displacement. As she channels the iconic Palestinian poet Darwish, we are left to wonder - what lies beyond the last sky?

The plight of Palestinians serves as a stark reminder of the arbitrary boundaries that separate nations and peoples. We exist on the periphery, our humanity constantly negotiated by the world at large. Until we're seen, until we're heard, until we're recognized not just as victims but as living, breathing beings with a place in this shrinking world, it's hard to imagine a way forward.

honestly, how many times can one get rejected for a visa? i mean plestia alaqad is literally living her best life over here waiting at airport counters all day every day... meanwhile the rest of us just wanna chill and travel like we're not stuck in this tiny strip of land. but seriously, how many times do ppl need to see the same struggles before they start calling out the hypocrisy? it's like, yeah, we get it, gaza is a humanitarian crisis, BUT what about all the daily struggles of its residents? can't we just see beyond the 'tragedy' and acknowledge that people are just trying to survive over here?

I'm still in shock after reading about Plestia Alaqad's struggles . It's like, can you even imagine having to deal with visa rejections and being treated like an outsider just because of where you're from? It's crazy how the world can be so accepting of people from other countries, but suddenly becomes super suspicious when it comes to Palestinians .

I mean, I get that security is a concern, but does it really have to affect their daily lives so much? And what's with this idea that Palestinian life is only "humanitarian" when they're suffering? It's like, can't we see them as people, too?

And don't even get me started on the whole identity politics thing. I'm all for equal rights and stuff, but it feels like Palestinians are constantly fighting for recognition just to exist .

The question Plestia Alaqad asks at the end is so haunting... where do we go if we're no longer welcome in our own homeland? It's a pretty scary thought .

I'm getting so frustrated thinking about all these Palestinians who are literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. Like, what even is the point of having borders if they're just gonna trap you in a tiny strip of land? And it's not just Gaza, either - the whole country is like one big refugee camp.

I mean, can't we just be human beings for once? Can't we just be allowed to exist without all these hoops and hurdles to jump through? I feel so bad for Plestia Alaqad and everyone else who's stuck in this limbo. It's like they're living in a perpetual state of purgatory.

And don't even get me started on the whole "security risk" thing. Like, come on - if we're not a threat to anyone, why can't we just be let through? I guess it just goes to show how messed up our priorities are when it comes to dealing with conflicts like this.

I wonder what it would be like if the world just, like, acknowledged that Palestinians were human beings too. Not just victims or refugees - actual people who deserve rights and respect. Maybe then we could start talking about a real solution to this whole thing...

OMG, can't believe how much Gaza is being forgotten like, we see all these cute social media posts about Palestine, but what about the daily struggles of its residents? I mean, Alaqad's story broke my heart - it's not just about visas and borders, it's about people living in literal poverty and displacement. It's crazy that Palestinians are treated differently than everyone else can't we just see them as human beings who deserve to live with dignity?

omg i feel so bad for ppl from gaza its like they r trapped between walls and also inside their own homes? i dont get how visa rejections can be such a big deal for them 2 lol but seriously whats the point of having a passport if u cant even leave ur country & what's up with all these double standards tho? its like they only care about ppl when they r suffering & dont even get me started on identity politics i feel like i wud go crazy trying 2 navigate all those papers & rules too lol mountains of paperwork u say? sounds like a real-life game of the office

man i feel like im so tired of reading about ppl stuck in limbo its like theyre invisible Gaza is literally being suffocated by borders and attitudes that dont care about people not just as statistics but as actual humans with hopes & dreams Alaqad is speaking the truth, we rnt just refugees or victims, were alive & kickin too its like ppl think the world is a safe space for some but not 4 others & dont even get me started on identity politics its like u need paper to prove ur existence? who needs that kinda drama

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Palestinian passports are treated like they're written in an alien language . It's crazy how people can be so suspicious of someone just because of their nationality. I mean, what if I had a friend from Gaza who just moved here and they're having trouble getting basic stuff done? Would I want to make it harder for them too?

And honestly, I think this whole 'romanticized notion' thing is so weird . Like, we know that life in Gaza isn't easy, but do we really have to paint it with a brush of perpetual sadness? Can't we see the beauty and strength of Palestinian culture too?

I'm also wondering... if Gazans are being treated like they're not even human because of their nationality, then where does that leave us as citizens of the world? Do we really need to be part of a specific country or group to be seen and recognized as individuals?

man I remember when ppl from different countries could travel easily no need for all that paperwork and visa drama... now it's like u gotta have connections or pay a fortune just to get outta ur own country i feel 4 plestia and all those gaza folks, they deserve so much better than 2 b treated like they're 1 big mystery instead of seein them as human beings 4 real

I mean, come on, if Palestinians can't even get a visa without being treated like an alien , what's the point of having a passport? It's like they're asking for permission just to exist in their own country. And don't even get me started on identity politics - it's like, hello, we're human beings too! Can't we just be recognized as such without all the drama and paperwork?

I'm not saying it's easy being a refugee or living under occupation, but come on, can't the world offer more than just sympathy and lip service? I mean, if Western passports get treated with so much respect, why should Palestinian passports be any different? It's like, same rules apply, folks!

And btw, what's with all this romanticizing of Palestinian life in international discourse? It's not all rainbows and unicorns, trust me. I've seen the lines at Gaza's airports, I've talked to people who have lost loved ones in these conflicts. It's real life, folks, not just a PR stunt

I feel so guilty for not commenting on this sooner... Alaqad's story is literally breaking my heart I mean, have you seen the pics of Gazans trying to travel abroad? It's like they're speaking a different language The whole visa rejection thing is just so frustrating. And yeah, I totally get what she means about identity politics... it's like, who gets to decide what "Palestinian" even means?

I think this is what's missing from the whole conversation - we need to talk about solutions, not just the problems Like, how can we address these systemic issues and create a more inclusive world where everyone can live freely? It's easy to get caught up in outrage and indignation, but we need to think critically about what we want to achieve.

I'm totally with Gazans on this one . I mean, can you blame them for feeling trapped? It's like the whole world is playing a game of "let's see how much suffering we can inflict before someone gets tired". And yeah, visa rejections are ridiculous - who needs a fancy passport to prove they're human, right?

I think it's time we stop romanticizing Palestinian life and start acknowledging the harsh realities. It's not all poetry and sandcastles; there's actual hardship and displacement going on here. And don't even get me started on identity politics - if someone with a Western passport can just waltz in without issue, why should Palestinians have to deal with mountains of paperwork?

And what's up with the world being more afraid of refugees than it is of the wars and genocides that forced them into exile? It's like we're saying, "Hey, you know what's worse than having to flee your home? Having someone else flee their home because of us!" Not exactly the most reassuring message.

We need to start seeing Palestinians as more than just victims; we need to see them as human beings with agency and a right to exist. Until then, it's hard to imagine any kind of meaningful progress.

I mean think about it... Gaza is like this tiny bubble where people are stuck, and the world is always looking at them like they're some kinda problem. Meanwhile, there are all these countries just chillin' with open borders, no issues. But when it comes to Palestine, everyone's all "security risk" and "humanitarian crisis"... but what about all the other wars going on? Don't we care about those people too?

And Alaqad's point about identity politics is so true... I mean, have you ever tried getting a passport in the States or Canada? It's like navigating a whole different world. But if you're Palestinian, good luck with that! I don't think anyone's really thinking about how these restrictions affect people on a daily basis.

It's like... what even is a homeland anymore? I mean, can we just redefine what it means to be human and welcome everyone in or something? It feels like the world's always trying to put limits on who gets to exist. But I guess that's just how it goes sometimes...

It's so sad to think about Gazans going through all that stress and struggle. I mean, can you even imagine having your whole life defined by visa rejections and airport waiting hours? And what's with the double standards, you know? We're seen as a security risk when we're alive but only see our humanity when things get really tough. It's like, don't they realize that people just want to live their lives in peace?!

And yeah, winter in Gaza sounds like a real nightmare - those poor families huddled together for warmth... it's just heartbreaking . And the whole identity politics thing is wild too. I mean, who needs all that paperwork when you're just trying to exist? It's like, we're already marginalized enough without having to deal with all this bureaucratic red tape.

As for Alaqad's question... where do you go if you can't even call your own homeland home anymore? It's a tough one. I think that's what really gets me - the world seems way more scared of us as refugees than it is of the actual conflicts and wars that drive people out in the first place .

Anyway, just thinking about all this makes me want to do something... maybe write some letters or make some phone calls? You know, try to spread a little awareness and understanding. We need more of that in this world!

I mean... can you even imagine having to deal with that every single day? Like, I have days where I'm stressing about getting my kid to school on time and suddenly I feel like Gazan Plestia Alaqad - trapped and invisible . It's just not right that Palestinians face visa rejections and suspicion because of their passports. And winter in Gaza is literally like a nightmare, thousands of families stuck together for warmth... it's heartbreaking .

And what really gets me is when you talk about identity politics and how Palestinians are treated differently depending on where they live. Like, I get that we have our own set of problems in the US, but to think that having a Western passport makes all the difference? That's just not cool . We need to recognize that Palestinians are human beings too, with the same rights and dignity as everyone else.

The fact that refugees are more feared than the wars that force them into displacement is just... wow . It's like we're living in a world where people are still being treated like they're not even worth recognizing . Until we can see Palestinians as more than just victims, but as living beings with their own stories and struggles, I don't think we'll ever move forward .

I feel so sad for Plestia Alaqad and all Gazans who are struggling to get out of their own country. It's like the world is saying 'you can't be free' just because you live in Gaza. I mean, shouldn't we want everyone to have a chance at happiness no matter where they're from?

And yeah, I think there's definitely double standards here - we see Palestine as a security risk but not like that with other countries. It's not right. Also, it's crazy how people always talk about Palestinian life like it's some kind of exotic adventure or something instead of seeing the daily struggles they face. It feels so unfair.

It also makes me think about identity politics and how sometimes people can have a Western passport but still face issues because of their nationality. Like what even is that?

I don't know, maybe I'm just getting all emotional about this but it really hits home when she says we're seen as refugees instead of human beings. We need to see beyond the borders and treat everyone equally

Gaza feels like a never-ending nightmare - these people are literally stuck between rock and hard place . Can't even get a visa without being treated like some kind of suspect . It's not just Alaqad, whole generation is growing up in this limbo . No wonder, when you're constantly reminded that your existence is only valid because you're suffering . What's the point of even having a passport if it's just gonna get rejected ? And don't even get me started on identity politics - it's like they expect you to be grateful for being alive . The world needs to wake up and realize that Palestinians are not just victims, but human beings with stories and dreams too .

omg u gotta feel for plestia alaqad she's literally struggling so much with her visa rejections and stuff i mean can u imagine having to wait for hours at airport counters just bcos ur passport is from palestine?? it's like the world thinks palesytinians r only refugees or victims but not actual people w/ lives and families and struggles i think it's so unfair that ppl w/ western passports get to travel freely while we have 2 deal w/ mountains of paperwork just 2 exist

I mean, come on, it's so obvious... The way Palestinians are treated is super unfair. Like, the whole visa thing is ridiculous - who needs that much paperwork just to prove they're human? And don't even get me started on how the world always frames Palestine as a "humanitarian crisis" without actually talking about what's happening in the daily lives of Gazans .

I think we need to start recognizing that Palestinians aren't just victims, they're living, breathing people who deserve to be seen and heard. And yeah, it's frustrating when people with Western passports can just travel around without a hitch, but at least they don't have to deal with the constant uncertainty and fear of being rejected or detained .

I'm not saying that Israel is off the hook or anything, but we need to start having a more nuanced conversation about Palestine's situation. We should be talking about borders and checkpoints and displacement, not just playing up the "poor Palestinians" card . And honestly, it's so tired when people frame Gaza as this exoticized, romanticized place... have you ever been there? It's not all sunshine and rainbows, trust me .

Anyway, I think Alaqad's question is really profound - if we're not welcome in our own homeland, where are we supposed to go? I don't have the answers, but I do know that it's time for us to start listening to Palestinians and having a more honest conversation about their struggles .