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Injustice and the Fight for Freedom
“As Palestinians, we are all born with the dream of living in a free Palestine, and we fight against the occupation with our own resistance methods. For me and for many others that tool is journalism,” says Zaina Qazzaz, a twenty-one-year-old Gazati journalism student. In a world where the struggle for a free Palestine is often swept under the rug, this young woman stands as a beacon of hope and tenacity, courageously pursuing her dreams from the heart of Barcelona.
A Journey Through Adversity
Zaina’s journey to study in Barcelona is a testament to the numerous hurdles faced by Palestinians. She hails from Gaza Strip, a region historically tormented by occupation, and her path was strewn with difficulties right from the start. “For a Gazati, it is more difficult to reach the West than any other part of the world,” she proclaims, lamenting the arduous nature of her journey to the West Bank, which is fraught with checkpoints and militant factions controlling every movement.
“The first of the controls denied us entrance the first two times, and finally we could only cross—I and my mother—having to say goodbye to my father.” — Zaina Qazzaz
Against All Odds
Crossing borders amid chaos is no simple feat, especially for Zaina who was forced to witness the harrowing realities of her people. “I saw a girl, accompanied by her mother, with a mutilated arm trying to reattach her limb. This is the trauma is the very essence of life in Gaza,” she recounts, detailing the inescapable fear that lingers in the air like a dark cloud.
Upon finally reaching the West Bank, Zaina realized that oppression cloaked itself in various forms. “I expected life to be much more normal by not having the same oppression, but when I arrived, I found walls and military controls that still suffocate our spirit. The lack of unity in the West Bank is an obstacle to any type of hope,” she insists, drawing attention to the fragmented state of Palestinian identity.
The Voice of the Martyrs
Studying at the renowned Birzeit University, which is often dubbed the “University of the Martyrs,” Zaina seeks to empower her generation with knowledge and awareness of their history. “Education fosters democracy and justice, equipping us with critical thinking to devise pathways toward liberation,” explains Zaina who sees herself not just as a student, but as a soldier in the struggle for a free Palestine.
The Cost of Silence
As violence escalates, Zaina advocates for breaking the silence that shadows the plight of her people. “Silence is also a form of complicity with injustice,” she boldly states, affirming that as long as she breathes, she will narrate the truth of the conflict, despite the dangers that loom over journalists in the region.
With a bitter realization that securing contact with her family might be a luxury, Zaina recounts times when she feared for her loved ones during attacks. “I had no idea if they were alive or dead. It was only through a neighbor that I learned my grandparents and uncle were killed and our neighborhood razed to the ground,” she says with heavy words that echo the agony of many.
Hope in the Midst of Despair
Despite the suffering she endures, Zaina remains resolute in her ambitions. “We need to listen to our consciousness and live with honesty and justice. At the end of the day, I am a human being as much as you, our blood is red and we have a heart,” she asserts fiercely. Her dream is simple yet powerful: to ensure that the struggle for a free Palestine is heard loud and clear across all corners of the globe.
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