"Enough! We’re fed up with the chaos and war!"
Amal (right) with her friend Yainit (left).
Location: Bus 48, From Tel Aviv to Herzliya
Residence: Jaffa
Age: 49
The encounter: In the bus, I sat across from Amal and her friend, who were giggling and chatting in Hebrew. When Amal noticed I was looking at some pictures on my camera, she turned to me to ask if I am a photographer. She wanted me to take a picture of her and her friend and was eager to tell me about herself. It turned out they were on their way to Herzliya for a dentist appointment.
What are you doing here right now?
We’re going to a dental clinic in Herzliya to get my teeth pulled. I’ve been suffering for a long time. I’m fed up. I want to pull all my teeth and get dentures. It'll be easier, and I won’t suffer anymore. There’s a good clinic in Herzliya, so that's why we're going there. My friend here comes along to hold my hand. We know each other from work. We always help each other.
What is your occupation?
We both work at a mental health clinic. I work in the cafeteria.
How do you describe your religious and national identity?
I’m Palestinian. And I’m a Muslim. And I’m an Israeli citizen.
Can you tell me a bit about your family?
I have a twenty-six-year-old son and a twenty-four-year-old daughter, and I have two grandchildren with another one on the way. All three grandkids are my daughter’s. My son is married, but he doesn’t have kids yet.
I told my daughter to continue her studies before getting married, but she didn’t want to wait. She had her first child when she was 18.
Where is your family from?
My family is from here, from Jaffa. Everyone, my parents, my grandparents – they’re all from Jaffa.
What are your hopes and expectations for the future of this land?
I hope there will be peace and that all people will live together and love each other. We’re fed up with war. But I’m not sure if I’ll vote or not. I usually vote for an Arab party. But I’m undecided this time. I don’t see that it makes any difference if I vote. I hope someone will be elected who can fix everything, someone who can make peace. Enough! We’re fed up with the chaos and war!