From former member of Hamas to owner of Cafe & Hostel

I first met Basel the day I arrived in Nablus. Sadia & I were doing a work exchange program in the old city of Nablus at a hostel. It was Ramadan and both Sadia & I were fasting. Basel invited us upstairs to the roof to have iftar with some of the other locals and international visitors. It was at that iftar, I first learned of Basel being a former member of Hamas. I immediately was worried. Living in America, we are taught that Hamas is a terrorist organization, that they use children as weapons, and that they are extremists using Islam to control and rule. However, throughout my time in Palestine, I learned quite quickly that wasn't necessarily true. Most Palestinians were in favor of Hamas. Palestinians don't have an army, they are also legally unable to buy weapons so they are unable to defend themselves from Israeli terrorists. Hamas is the only group standing up for them. Basel was in the resistance during the second intifada, he was imprisoned for 15 years. When he was released, he worked with his brother and sister-in-law to revive the old city of Nablus. Together, they birthed the "Yalla Project," an ambitious undertaking that includes Antique Cafe and Turquoise Hostel that continues to attract international travelers and young locals. Basel's story is emblematic of the subtler stories we have heard. As thousands of Palestinian men go away to Israeli military prisons where they are tortured and dehumanized, only to come back with no choice but to move forward with unresolved mental health issues. I hope by the end of this video, you ask yourself an important question, is it resistance or terrorism? Do Palestinians have the right to defend themselves? And if they do, why does the western media consider them terrorists for it?
#New #Trending #Palestine #FreePalestine #Terrorism #Resistance #Hamas #Israel

[@MagenMaria]

I just wanted to let you know, I have been watching your videos and you single handedly changed my perception of the Middle East. Period. There is no way around it. I heard your voice when you said you felt like these videos getting no views means you haven’t done enough. No one will ever do “enough” but you are doing so much more than we ever deserved at this time in history. I told my husband last night “We will look back and there will be documentaries, there will be outrage, there will be ‘revelations’ about this time and we will have to face the fact that none of us paid attention then.. this is so much bigger than people comprehend.” But you understand and you are trying to educate. Thank you for these videos. Thank you for your coverage on tiktok.

[@kiaq1153]

i agree, i saw a human who inherited an unjust occupation, fought against it, punished for doing so, and now make a rose in a desert for his small community. thats why i hate terms like 'terrorism', all the ducks needs to align for the that term to fit and fly.

[@realfahan]

How can he had so much faith after everything his people going through? Not everyone can be Palestinians because not everyone is strong enough to face this kind of hardship.

[@JoJoBoOzK.O.]

Neither is anybody stupid enough to bring it themselves

[@leilamohammed1759]

Came from Instagram. This is so inspiring and enlightening. There's so much misconceptions of who and what Hamas is. You are smart and brave for giving Palestine a voice. ❤

[@janomesmartinez8307]

‘if you are doing anything with a message, the message will go with you’ - thanks for the great watch ❤️

[@karisuperstar]

I just want to say thank you for posting and creating these videos. It's criminal that they aren't watched by more people. I'm sharing them with everyone I know. You share such an immensely important perspective when it comes to these major human issue (especially right now). Even though more people aren't watching these videos I know you're aware of the deep impact that speaking to these people and allowing them to share their own stories has made for you and them. There's no price tag that can be put on these human connections you have made in the real world. That is the true treasure of this series you made. Don't forget that and I thank you so deeply for sharing that with the world. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@celineaurelia]

this was really interesting to watch

[@NaleyByNature]

It certainly isn’t a story you hear everyday in the US! Thank you for watching

[@d.7611]

​@@NaleyByNatureNor is your narrative factual.

[@ceekay5267]

@@d.7611it’s not her narrative she’s just giving her platform so this man can have his voice heard for once instead of being oppressed and silenced from the day he was born. Ur just mad that ur narrative is finally falling apart and the world is beginning open their eyes and c the truth. Funniest thing about it is it’s the oppressors that r the ones exposing themselves to the world and r responsible for most of the awakening that we r seeing. It’s the arrogance that u guys thought that this brutal occupation, violence and constant land grabs were sustainable forever

[@TashMusic]

Basel - his parents already knew from the first second of his life that he was going to be brave.

[@RobbyJulietta]

This made me so sad to hear. That he doesn‘t believe that there won‘t be any more conflict. But it‘s possible to live happily, even under unfair living conditions.

[@ChooseCompassion]

I love this man. I hope more people see this interview. I feel it’s very important for us to learn history and search for the truth of any situation, especially when it affects other human beings in horrific ways like this occupation, so we can learn to accept each others differences and embrace them. I shiver to think where him and his family and loved ones of community all right now. The current situation is beyond abhorrent. I think of people got to know Basel through this thoughtful and thorough interview it could shed important light that is so necessary as a step towards peace. #FreePalestine

[@Filbie]

Wow the metaphor about the jungle was beautiful. I came from your tiktok where you said they took down this video. I’m so glad I did.

[@mariaahmad3035]

Thank you so much for providing this content! Very eye-opening and beneficial for others to see.

[@jayciannax]

Thank you for this! ❤

[@AaishaAli-kr1do]

Bravo to you... may ALLAH TALA help you, blessed you, and fullfill all your dreams, you have done the tremendous job. I just love you girl❤

[@Azric99]

Thank you for sharing with us ❤️👏🏻 palestine 🇵🇸❤️

[@Abbas-fi8kq]

Fantastic, love this original content! Bravo

[@theguardianarchives433]

Great journalism work Sister

[@mekerramarket7397]

Thanks for making this

[@LarimaBeyondBorders]

Coming from IG. Beautiful video. With the current situation, do you know if Basel and his family are okay?

[@NaleyByNature]

Basel is okay & safe. He is happy and proud to see Americans and people around the world wake up to what has been happening to Palestinians. All the posts and content on Palestine is important. The protests are important. I think Basel feels seen by the world for the first time..

[@LarimaBeyondBorders]

@@NaleyByNature I’m an American and sadden by how I didn’t know about this situation and really didn’t care…“that’s far away…has nothing to do with me.“ This year on October 8th or so I decided to see why „these people“ are always fighting over there. It took less than 24 hours to see the truth. You can’t oppress people and not expect a resistance. It has been really tough seeing how the American government has been complicit in so many crimes against humanity throughout the world. Apparently they never learn from history. I do have a little hope when I see so many people all over the world coming together for freedom, peace and an end to the occupation. It is just so defeating to see people in power who don’t feel the same way. Thank you for making this video 🤍🤍

[@dredendragon7619]

Here from TikTok ❤

[@kaouthermes6690]

I hope more people will see your videos and realize the truth that those people are fighting for life and the right to exist.

[@soumichamerad7720]

Thank You For Your Valuable Work , its Really Eyeopening , I Hope Palestinians Will have a Fair Life , An Israelis Stopped To Be So Selfcentered and Blind and Realise How Much Harm They Are Doing And Supporting

[@makai5749]

This was cool

[@NaleyByNature]

Thank you for watching!

[@d.7611]

Indeed gory images of the victims of suicide bombings.

[@chelseariffic]

Palestinians are so resilient

[@JoJoBoOzK.O.]

Then why don't they keep it to themselves?

[@forwantofapage6059]

I'm leaving this comment in hopes that the engagement helps this video's situation on the algorithm, at least in some countries. It probably won't do anything in America.

[@lameessalih7750]

❤

[@Tajota512]

❤🇵🇸❤️ Free Palestine

[@sanamoti6337]

Palestine, all the way 🇵🇸

[@missgreendayfan]

Beautiful interview, thank you ❤ Every day I fall more and more in love with Palestinians and their spirit, these people are so inspiring, even after all they've been going through, they never seem lose hope. It truly breaks my heart so many don't see or refuse to see them for who they are ❤‍🩹

[@soumichamerad7720]

Thank You For Your Valuable Work , its Really Eyeopening , I Hope Palestinians Will have a Fair Life , An Israelis Stopped To Be So Selfcentered and Blind and Realise How Much Harm They Are Doing And Supporting