The Hebrew word for “the land”. Growing up, we never called Israel, “Israel”. We called it “aretz” which is the Hebrew word for land. This symbolised, to me, the importance of the land of Israel and understand that it is beyond a country. It is the place I feel closest to god, to my family physically, and to my ancestors who are buried there.
The media continuously tries to delete the part of history where generations and generations of Israelis have built life and love on the same land that they claim does not exist. I am sick and tired of being called all these horrible names simply for having an identity.
Being Israeli is who I am, and no matter where your political agenda stands, you cannot take that identity away from me. I will forever be proud of where I am from, and no part of me will ever feel the need to explain that. Am Israel CHAI!
