Thread by @nfwazwaz

CONT’D: I landed in TLV yesterday. People usually are allowed to scan their passport and get their visas. But of course, this doesn’t work for most Palestinians. I scanned my passport and I was told I had to go to Border Control.

I went to Border Control. They took my passport and I was told to have a seat. Then an officer came and I was escorted to wait in a seating area with other passengers. When I got there, there were 13 people, 8 of them Palestinian.

The thing about waiting is they never tell you why you’re waiting, how long you’re waiting for. No information. You’re supposed to just sit and wait. No questions. No answers. It’s an exhausting flight. And I’ve gone through hell before getting here.

After 2 hours of waiting an officer called my name and I was taken into an office. He asked me for my name, dad’s name, my grandfathers name. He asked to see my hotel reservation. My return flight. Why I was visiting. My profession. The typical questions

He then asked me multiple times who I knew in the West Bank. I told him I didn’t know anyone. My family is all in Jerusalem. He didn’t seem to believe me.

He asked me to take my phone out and open my contacts list, and type in Israel/Palestine’s area code “972.” He then started to go through EVERY SINGLE contact and made explain my relationship to each person.

He then instructed me to turn my phone off. And asked me, “what happened at the airport yesterday?” I looked at him + said, “Well I was refused boarding bc they said my laptop + shoes have explosives. So I was put on another flight. I was screened 6 times. And well, here I am!”

He asked me, “Same laptop and same shoes?” YUP. I didn’t leave the airport, sir!!

I was told to go outside and wait. Another 20 minutes and I was finally given my visa.

I arrived at my cousin’s house and opened my bag… my stuff was a complete mess. It appeared that they went through every single item and just shoved everything back inside. It had taken me a couple of days to pack and organize everything. I was so livid.

There was also NO NOTE stating that they went thru my baggage. I started reorganizing my belongings.

I’m just so so exhausted. This whole journey is meant to humiliate us. But I’m Palestinian and you won’t ever break my soul ✌️🇵🇸✌️ I stopped by the Al Aqsa compound last night to remind myself that it’s always always worth it.

All this is happening as the @StateDept @SecBlinken announced that it would give Israeli tourists visa-free travel to the US only if Israel stops discriminating against Arab Americans. Let me tell you: It’s never going to stop.