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their fathers. Siham’s father was a political activist and as a result was constantly chased and
imprisoned by the authorities. Najat’s father was not involved in politics but worked during the day
and with the increase of random explosions closer to 1948, Najat and her family were constantly
worried that he would get hurt.
We used to hear the sound of explosions and then we would hear from one of the
neighbors that the Cinema was bombed for example. The cinema is close to my father’s
shop and so my brother and I would run to his shop… very frightened that he might have
gotten hurt or injured. (Najat)
Between the two narratives, Siham’s demonstrates more awareness of the political situation as
Najat’s environment did not revolve around politics. But this is worth noting here because Siham’s
awareness contributed to increased feelings of insecurity as a child.
My childhood memories were not limited to joy and happiness. I experienced
occupation and injustice from a very young age. I opened my eyes to this world knowing
that there is occupation and that someone wants to steal my land. (Siham)
Despite this, the three elements of human security were strongly evident in Najat’s and Siham’s
narratives. They came from financially and socially comfortable backgrounds and remembered the
good times of Yafa.
Locking up: A temporary escape – 1948
When violence in Yafa started to escalate and all of Najat’s family, except the father, moved to
Qalqilia, they lived in a state of constant worry and instability, not knowing if he would make it alive.
Also, Najat’s narrative portrays feelings of insecurity that stem from being a young girl:
I used to be very scared of showering at that time. I was afraid that the Jews will come
get me while I am still in the shower; how will I run away if I was naked? I wouldn’t have
time. This is a terror that I really lived at that time. No security; security was gone. (Najat)
After a short while, Najat’s family had to escape to the mountains and live in the wilderness for
three nights with no shelter or food. With the bare minimum to survive, they moved along to a nearby
village called Bidya. The families there opened their homes to those in need. Three months later,
Najat’s family moved to Nablus where they were also met generously. They rented an apartment and
stayed there for a year before moving indefinitely to Amman.
Despite the several transitions, Najat maintained regular school attendance. She recalls chaotic
times at school in Nablus with overcrowded classrooms that could not absorb the influx of new
exiled students.
Siham’s experience was also difficult; the turning point was when her house was bombed and her
younger brother injured. Her father found him in the hospital, where the doctor warned him to run
away immediately as the Hagana had announced a reward for his head. As the night progressed, the
whole family along with her brother on a carrier headed out to the sea and jumped into a jiren 9 . They
were joined by other neighbors who wanted to escape temporarily to Gaza. Halfway through the
journey, the rope pulling the jiren was cut and panic took over. Siham’s father started reciting
Qur'anic verses, restoring calm to all, while waiting for the night waves to determine their destiny.
They were thrown back on the coast of Yafa. After embarking on a similar failed journey the next
night, they returned home in the hope of finding a solution. Siham’s narrative highlights risks that
Palestinian girls and women were faced with at this time. Organized militias used to invade homes to
instill terror and therefore young Palestinian women and girls were at a risk of getting raped and
harassed.
That night, my father picked up his weapon and stood by the door to guard us...and
said ‘Yaba forgive me, if the Jews find us, I am going to shoot you before they lay a hand
on you.’ (Siham)