Bethlehem 1948.

To some individuals, the date does not ring a bell, nor does it seem relevant to any aspect of their life. But for Yazan Meqbil, it marks the beginning of a long and tasking journey that carries historical importance in his culture, and the culture of the Palestinian people.

That Journey… signified the establishment of Yazan Meqbil’s identity.

Ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts continue to deprive the people of true freedom, and restrict the stability of of Israel-Palestine relations. Since the War of 1967, the establishment of Israel has led to the military occupation of 5 million Palestinians; imprisoning 40% of Palestinian men, and targeting about 50,000 homes over 5 decades. Yazan experienced this deprivation of freedom first hand, who grew up learning of his grandparents forced out of their homes; becoming refugees in 1948, before being on the constant move to Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon in 1967.

Growing up, Meqbil lived in a small town, housed under a building that did not receive a housing permit. Facing destruction from Israel’s government, his father stood strong; opting to reside in the house anyway, in opposition of the restricting structures that sought to take their home away from them. Meqbil’s family lived in what would seem as un-bearable conditions, being that the building had no floors and windows, and the surrounding environment reflected that of the ongoing conflicts faced between Palestine and Israel. Meqbil, as well as other had also lived harsh childhoods, often under constant surveillance by the Israel government. Throughout his childhood, he had witnessed his family and friends get pulled out from their homes and tried in military court for allegations that never happened. Some of his friends were even murdered on behalf of senseless assumptions, showcasing the general disrespect of the Palestinian culture and the unwillingness on both sides to cooperate as a whole.

Today, when Meqbil looks at children playing with their friends and family, he reminisces about his own childhood as his heart fills with discontent for his own. He expressed that many people simply do not understood the essence of freedom that is standard within the United States, but is earned and fought for in his country. He expressed that growing up; he didn’t have the luxury to play games the way kids in this day and age would play. He stated that when children in the U.S. was playing with toys, he was playing the “Army and the Arabs” in which one side would hold sticks symbolizing them as guns, while the other would throw rocks, symbolizing the platform that has been the cause of many Palestinian arrests; whether based off of true or false information.

Although the stories may correlate with your perceptions of life overseas, what many people fail to realize is that it’s not just a game that they are playing. This way of life is controlled and shaped around a culture of oppression; one that seeks to devalue and discriminate a human being, who has natural rights to a quality life.

As he got older, Meqbil strengthened his relationship with his father; leaning to him as the core leader of the house, and a role model in his life. But even his father could not overpower the ways of government. Meqbil described that bonding with his father was very special to him; but yet his father kept secrets that he didn’t want him to know in order to protect him. That protection changed into information because of the dangers that soon awaited Yazan later on in his youth.

In 2010, government forces raided the house of Meqbil’s grandparents looking for Meqbil. It was then when Meqbil’s father revealed to him the problems that he has personally faced within the surrounding military occupation. Meqbil when explaining the conversation that he had with his father, expressed that it hurts to see that your father went through the same problems that were faced with many other Palestinian civilians faced. He stated:

“I saw my dad as a leader and a role model. Having that talk with your father about what happened to him…you will not view your dad the same”.

Through his father’s teaching and protection, Meqbil was aware of his current situation, and then realized how to adjust accordingly to combat the systematic oppression happening around him. Meqbil said that the talk he had with his father helped open up his eyes to the world and the aspect of politics getting in the way. He moved to the U.S. and got involved in the efforts to provide hope for his culture back home, and locally. He has also referred the problems faced in his backyard to the problems faced in terms of racial discrimination, labeling as “senseless to limit people because of who they are”.

Yazan’s continued work continues to echo throughout his life, making a documentary called “detaining dreams” in which he brings awareness to the ongoing problems faced with the Palestinian youth. He has also collaborated with No Way to Treat a Child (NWTTAC), to conduct a speech spreading his story; and making sure that efforts are being taken to push the agenda of providing a safe haven for Palestinian children.

His advice for the world is this:

“Be careful what you tell children, but educate them. They tend to have an ‘innocent view’ of life and are not aware of the systematic oppression that is faced internationally and /or locally.”

His life will forever be a testament to the success and survival of an individual trying to make a difference in the world.