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BBC OS Conversations: Jewish-Palestinian couples

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Jewish-Palestinian couples

27/10/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - BBC OS Conversations, Jewish-Palestinian couples

Mixed-heritage couples and families share their experiences

Mixed-heritage couples and families share their experiences.

Observing the suffering on both sides of the Israel and Gaza war, are couples and families around the world in which individuals with Jewish and Palestinian heritage have come together and built a shared life. For some there will be conflicting and mixed emotions, and some difficult questions.

We hear their conversations as they talk about the beginnings of romantic relationships, and the realisation of the huge complications and family disputes that might ensue. Emotions are shared, and the challenges and decisions they face because of the present and also the past. 

Leya and Thaer, a Jewish-Palestinian couple living in the US, describe how both of their families were happy with the match, and how they’re bringing their son up to understand and celebrate both sides of his heritage, and to make his own choices.

We also speak to two Jewish women who have married Palestinian men. Mya Guarnieri, an American-Israeli describes meeting her Palestinian husband-to-be Mohammed. Years later, shocked by the events of October 7th, Mya found herself asking Mohammed, “’Is this the sort of operation that you support?’ And he was like, ‘of course not’. But I had to ask him that question, and I regret it.” Becca met her husband Waseem in Israel, and tells us about the moment she realised the impact this could have on both of their lives. Despite unease on both sides of their family, they married in 2012.

We also hear from a family of four, whose two adult sons now find themselves being asked by friends “whose side are you on?”.

(Photo: Leah and Thaer with their baby)

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