Introduction

Can you find someone who is Black, Arab, Muslim, and a graduate from a private university who then gets accepted to study at a Jewish university, and comes back to achieve amazing things all within 27 years? Well, I am that person. My name is Tamil, and I am the living embodiment of Israel not being an apartheid state.

My Background

I hail from Segev Shalom, a settlement near Be’er Sheva. This is where I grew up and lived before coming here to study at the university. Yesterday, I graduated, and it feels surreal to reflect on my journey and the misconceptions about Israel that I have encountered, especially on college campuses in America.

Addressing Misconceptions

When I hear people calling Israel a white colonialist apartheid state that is ethnically cleansing Arabs, the first thing that comes to my mind is that those kids are misinformed. They chant “Intifada” like it’s a Taylor Swift song, not realizing that it’s essentially a death chant.

Real Discrimination in Gaza

For instance, there is a small Black minority in Gaza that suffers from apartheid-like discrimination. They can’t marry other Palestinians simply because they look like me. This is a real issue that often gets overlooked in the broader narrative.

Voting Rights in Israel

Do I have the right to vote? Absolutely. I have voted five times in the past few years because there are so many elections here. While I may not always want to vote, it is a civic duty that everyone participates in. This is a testament to the democratic nature of Israel.

Israel’s Imperfections

Israel is not a perfect country. No country is. However, it is not the apartheid state or the ethnic cleansing state that people on college campuses make it out to be. Case in point: me. I am a Black, Arab, Muslim who has thrived in this country, and my story is a testament to the diversity and opportunities that Israel offers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my journey is living proof that Israel is far from the apartheid state it is often accused of being. It is a country with its flaws, but it is also a place where people like me can live, study, and achieve great things. So, the next time you hear someone chanting against Israel, remember my story and know that the reality is far more complex and hopeful.