Palestinian-Americans in Tennessee have been deeply affected by the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. With thousands of Arab-American and Muslim-Americans in the state, many have lost family members to bombs and bullets in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Hossam Bahour and his wife Eman, who have lived in Nashville for over 30 years, have lost 242 extended family members. Amira Ayesh-Akins has lost over 40 family members in Gaza. Karim AL-Saied has stories of persecution dating back to Israel’s founding, with five family members killed in the past year. These individuals are working to preserve their Palestinian culture and raise awareness of the conflict.
The Israeli Defense Force’s Dahiya Doctrine has resulted in the deaths of over 42,000 Palestinians, including nearly 16,500 children. The use of U.S.-made bombs on civilian centers has been devastating, and the lack of support from U.S. decision-makers has left many feeling invisible. Tennessean U.S. Congressman Andrew Ogles’s comments have added to the pain felt by Palestinian-Americans in the state. The fear of the conflict spreading beyond Palestine, as seen in Israel’s recent actions in Lebanon, has raised concerns about a broader regional war.
Many Palestinian-Americans in Tennessee feel like second-class citizens and are calling for an end to the violence and for accountability for war crimes. Sabina Mohyuddin, Executive Director at the American Muslim Advisory Council, highlights the need for support and recognition of the suffering of Palestinian-Americans in the state.
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Photo credit tennesseelookout.com
