EmpowHER: Maryam Al-Afifi

Trigger/content warning: this article mentions police brutality

It is commonly known that Israel and Palestine have disagreed for several decades, summing to 70 years. However, recent media attention has demonstrated that rather than Palestine being a victim of the conflict, the country is in a humanitarian crisis due to settler colonialism, military occupation, land theft, oppression, and ethnic cleansing. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is leading the oppression and ethnic cleansing by using military power against Palestine’s citizens, who display bravery by defending themselves against these injustices despite being vulnerable to attack. One of these individuals is Maryam Al-Afifi, a 26-year-old Palestinian woman and a cellist for the Palestine Youth orchestra.

On May 8, 2021, Maryam was beaten, violently dragged by her hijab, and was arrested by an Israeli officer. Like countless other Palestinians who had been detained for similarly noble actions, Maryam was arrested for helping a young Palestinian girl who had been beaten and left on the ground. However, there was something that particularly stood out about Maryam’s arrest - she smiled into a nearby camera while being handcuffed, and in doing so, she displayed her strength and courage. Upon Maryam’s release, she completed several interviews and explained the message behind her smile; to display her well-being, regardless of the consequences of her actions.

Image: a) Maryam smiling during her arrest, b) Maryam playing the cello for the youth orchestra

In addition to attempting to aid the young girl, Maryam has also protested against the forced removal and relocation of Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah (a neighbourhood in East Jerusalem). She protests in hopes that their voices will be heard and will create change to protect the homes and freedom of both Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah and the entire city of Jerusalem.

The image of Maryam smiling during her arrest sparked a wave of activism by displaying the strength of Palestinian women and Palestinians as a whole. For example, Maryam and hundreds of Palestinians have been documented to be smiling in the face of oppression while being detained by Israeli authorities. Nevertheless, Maryam’s story is one of many and illustrates the power women possess and the importance of advocating for what you believe in.

For further information on Palestine and its history, click here

by Harshdeep Dhaliwal '23 (Blog Subcommittee Member)

Reference

Decolonize Palestine. https://decolonizepalestine.com/