1 00:00:01,720 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 1: Also media. 2 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:13,200 Speaker 2: As mass bombing continues across Gaza. Two point three million 3 00:00:13,240 --> 00:00:17,120 Speaker 2: Palestinians remain trapped in the Strip as the Israeli military 4 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:21,760 Speaker 2: conducts a total blockade. Israel has cut off water, electricity, 5 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 2: and fuel while intentionally restricting humanitarian aid from being sent 6 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 2: into Gaza. This is it could happen here. I'm Garrison Davis. 7 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 2: On October seventh, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a 8 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:40,280 Speaker 2: speech addressing Palestinians inside Gaza. A part of the official 9 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 2: English translation of the speech reads, quote, all of the 10 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:48,239 Speaker 2: places which Hamas is deployed, hiding and operating in that 11 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:52,520 Speaker 2: wicked city, we will turn them into rubble. I say 12 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 2: to the residents of Gaza, leave now, because we will 13 00:00:55,880 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 2: operate forcefully everywhere unquote. Sentence in this speech was left untranslated, 14 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:07,120 Speaker 2: but it roughly read quote, we will target each and 15 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 2: every corner of the Strip unquote. According to the UN 16 00:01:12,280 --> 00:01:15,679 Speaker 2: by last Thursday, October twelfth, about four hundred and twenty 17 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:18,399 Speaker 2: three thousand people had been displaced from their homes by 18 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:21,120 Speaker 2: Israeli air strikes. That's about twenty five percent of the 19 00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 2: Palestinian population. Many sought refuge in crowded United Nations shelters 20 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:29,840 Speaker 2: set up in schools, but even those shelters and hospitals 21 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 2: were attacked by air Last Friday, October thirteenth, Israel issued 22 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:39,679 Speaker 2: a military order for all citizens in northern Gaza, including 23 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:42,680 Speaker 2: Gaza City, to evacuate their homes within a twenty four 24 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:47,119 Speaker 2: hour period, in apparent preparation of a major ground assault 25 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 2: on the besieged enclave. Over one million Palestinians live in 26 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 2: this area, it's almost half the population of Gaza. In 27 00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:59,920 Speaker 2: between bombings, Israeli military aircraft dropped thousands of leaflets into 28 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:04,280 Speaker 2: Gaza City, advising civilians to immediately leave their homes and 29 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:08,480 Speaker 2: the UN shelters, but not to actually try and leave Gaza. 30 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:11,519 Speaker 2: As the leaflet warned that if anyone approached the Israel 31 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:17,120 Speaker 2: Gaza security wall, they would quote expose themselves to death unquote. 32 00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:19,640 Speaker 2: Israel laid out just a few roads that it was 33 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:24,240 Speaker 2: supposed to be quote unquote safe to travel southbound. Thousands 34 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 2: of people in northern Gaza began to flee towards the 35 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 2: strip's southern half on Friday morning, but as they were 36 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:35,160 Speaker 2: following Israel's orders, Civilian convoys transporting Palestinian families out of 37 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:38,800 Speaker 2: Gaza City were bombed by the Israeli military at three 38 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 2: different points along the evacuation route. At least seventy people 39 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:46,760 Speaker 2: were killed, with hundreds more injured by the Israeli airstrikes 40 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:50,360 Speaker 2: as they were trying to follow Israel's impossible order to 41 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 2: evacuate everyone from their homes in just twenty four hours 42 00:02:54,639 --> 00:02:58,640 Speaker 2: between Netanyahu's speech and the evacuation order of northern Gaza. 43 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:03,959 Speaker 2: This leaves people questioning where exactly are these people supposed 44 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:08,519 Speaker 2: to go. A Palestinian in Gaza told the Associated Press quote, 45 00:03:08,720 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 2: we can't flee because anywhere you go, you are bombed. Unquote. 46 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:17,800 Speaker 2: Gaza isn't that big. It's only twenty five miles long, 47 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:21,920 Speaker 2: and it's completely surrounded by Israel and the Mediterranean Sea 48 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 2: save for a small section on the southern tip, which 49 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:29,120 Speaker 2: borders Egypt with Israel, sealing off access to Gaza. The 50 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:32,120 Speaker 2: only way in or out is the Rafa border Crossing, 51 00:03:32,200 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 2: located at the southern end of the strip bordering Egypt's 52 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 2: Sinai Peninsula. The Rafa Crossing is a critical passage for 53 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:43,840 Speaker 2: humanitarian aid and serves as a vital gateway between Gaza 54 00:03:43,920 --> 00:03:47,360 Speaker 2: and the outside world. One of the very first targets 55 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 2: of Israeli bombing this month was the Rafa border crossing 56 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 2: between Gaza and Egypt. It was targeted by three air 57 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 2: raids in a twenty four hour period, severely damaging the crossing, 58 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 2: preventing it from operating and resulting in fatalities. There's video 59 00:04:02,680 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 2: and audio of the bombings where you hear hundreds of 60 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 2: people make a singular scream. It's pretty gruesome. With Israel 61 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 2: undergoing a quote unquote complete siege of Gaza, this crossing 62 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:18,919 Speaker 2: was the only way to send humanitarian supplies into the 63 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 2: Strip and to let willing refugees flee the assault. The 64 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:27,159 Speaker 2: Egyptian Foreign minister has said that Israel has yet to 65 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:30,960 Speaker 2: allow the reopening of the crossing. Egypt is expected to 66 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 2: assist in delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians and the enclave, 67 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:38,839 Speaker 2: but it has rejected proposals to accept fleeing Palestinians into 68 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:44,039 Speaker 2: its borders. Both Egypt and Israel operate a blockade of 69 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 2: Gaza to strictly control the passage of people and supplies 70 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:50,799 Speaker 2: going in and out of the Strip. There's no freedom 71 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 2: of movement to enter or leave Gaza, even when there's 72 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:58,680 Speaker 2: not a declared war, one can't simply leave Gaza. There's 73 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 2: no Gaza airport, least not since two US and two Historically, 74 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:06,119 Speaker 2: the Rafa border crossing into the Egyptian Peninsula was only 75 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 2: open to the public very sporadically and often for very 76 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:15,280 Speaker 2: narrowly defined categories, such as medical patients, religious pilgrims, foreign residents, 77 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:19,400 Speaker 2: or residents of Gaza with foreign visas or passports. But 78 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 2: I don't have to tell you how hard it is 79 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:24,240 Speaker 2: to leave Gaza even when there's not a war. Because 80 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 2: late last year, we interviewed two Palestinians for a still 81 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:31,200 Speaker 2: upcoming episode that's being worked on. During the interview, they 82 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 2: touched on their own experiences escaping Gaza. So we're going 83 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 2: to place some of that interview for this episode, and 84 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 2: I'll jump in occasionally to add some context. So here 85 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:47,719 Speaker 2: is Ahmed Matar and Abdullah al Casab, athletes from a 86 00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 2: PK Gaza, one of the most recognized parker teams in 87 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:51,600 Speaker 2: the world. 88 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 3: My name is Ahmad Matar. I'm twenty six years old. 89 00:05:56,480 --> 00:06:02,160 Speaker 3: I'm from Gaza, Palestine, and I do Barkour. I live 90 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:06,839 Speaker 3: at the moment in Sweden because yeah, I'm open within 91 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 3: six years ago after I got invited for the Eraword Challenge. 92 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 3: It's a parkour competition that was organized in Sweden and Helsingburg. 93 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:20,719 Speaker 3: And yeah, since that time, I just live in Sweden 94 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:23,840 Speaker 3: because I just did not want to go back for 95 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 3: so many reasons that we can just talk about it 96 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 3: later in this episode. 97 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 1: Hey guys, I'm a tadler. I'm twenty five years old 98 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 1: and also in Barkour Athleta and I'm also right now 99 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:38,840 Speaker 1: in Italy. 100 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:42,679 Speaker 3: I do the chance to travel to Italy because I part. 101 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:46,920 Speaker 1: Of bated in a in a movie or in a film, 102 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:51,800 Speaker 1: which is the directory is in my village Gurosa. He's 103 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:55,080 Speaker 1: an Italian movie. It's called more jumb But my friend 104 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 1: he was the main character. I was one of the 105 00:06:56,839 --> 00:06:59,600 Speaker 1: characters in the film. So we got a chance to 106 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:03,600 Speaker 1: to to participate in a festival in si and it 107 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:06,880 Speaker 1: wasn't really easy. It was really hard to do it 108 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:12,400 Speaker 1: because because you know, having visa ahmed Alsos Dad, it's 109 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 1: we get a visa as a Palestinian and especially from 110 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 1: gethera city with something really really hard. And even though 111 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,320 Speaker 1: it's about having the business about it, traveling outside Gaza, 112 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 1: something else this is also other, completely different story, but 113 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 1: we could manage that. And I've been here in Italy. 114 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 1: I came to participate in Sishida. First of all, me 115 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 1: and my friend we managed to get shing visa and 116 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 1: it was just for five days. And now I'm here 117 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:41,559 Speaker 1: in Italy for almost eleven months. In the other city. 118 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:45,200 Speaker 1: You when you were there, it is not you don't 119 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 1: really feel free as free, you know, because you're surrounded 120 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 1: all the time by so many obstacutes, you know, which 121 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:54,440 Speaker 1: is which is really crazy and it drives even though 122 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 1: because we were really kids and we didn't have a 123 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 1: really good childhood somehow. 124 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, I remember since we were kids, we were seeing 125 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:08,679 Speaker 3: the tanks or what is it called, Yeah, the tanks 126 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:11,760 Speaker 3: that we were seeing it in front of the street, 127 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 3: and we were hearing bombs and shootings. And that was 128 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:19,360 Speaker 3: before two thousand and five. That was like since I 129 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 3: was four years I could remember all of that moments 130 00:08:22,360 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 3: where the tanks are crossing our road and we were 131 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:31,480 Speaker 3: seeing that attacks happening between people together, and bombs and 132 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 3: flights and drones and and that's something that for sure 133 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:42,079 Speaker 3: affects us as a kid, that we we get the 134 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 3: fear whenever we see some bombs and just we want 135 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:49,240 Speaker 3: to hide from the bombs and we want to be 136 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 3: close to the family. For me, all of these things 137 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 3: that happened around me affected me that I wanted to 138 00:08:57,000 --> 00:09:00,840 Speaker 3: be that guy who would like to enjoy life. In 139 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 3: the same time, Gaza was a place that we had 140 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:09,880 Speaker 3: the situation where we are the psychologically or how is 141 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:13,560 Speaker 3: it called, like when you are affected by the situation 142 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:17,720 Speaker 3: where you know that you are you can be dead 143 00:09:17,840 --> 00:09:20,199 Speaker 3: at a moment, or it can get a bump close 144 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 3: to you any moment, or someone close to you who die. 145 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:25,599 Speaker 1: I mean kids the most important for the kids just 146 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:32,120 Speaker 1: the more safety, and we didn't have safety. The safety 147 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,480 Speaker 1: is what kids really want, you know all the time. 148 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 1: I mean, when you're a kid, you just need your 149 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 1: mom or your dad next to you because you really 150 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:41,800 Speaker 1: feel this kind of safety. But when we were kids, 151 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:44,320 Speaker 1: we couldn't have this kind of feeling because even our 152 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,920 Speaker 1: parents they were not really sure what might happen to 153 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,440 Speaker 1: us or to them, so how they will protect us. 154 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: So it's not really easy for anyone to protect the others. 155 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 1: You know, no one april to you know, to do that. 156 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 1: That's something affected us for sure. Right, because we we 157 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:08,960 Speaker 1: we we've grown up on such things like that. Maybe 158 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 1: for me an hour, if you were talking about this 159 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 1: is maybe something usual, which is something normal, because I 160 00:10:13,880 --> 00:10:16,240 Speaker 1: really good used to it somehow, which is not normal. 161 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:17,800 Speaker 1: I mean it should have been normal for anyone, but 162 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:19,760 Speaker 1: for us, you know, we could it kind of normal 163 00:10:19,840 --> 00:10:23,120 Speaker 1: because it's kind of we used to. And now when 164 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:28,000 Speaker 1: I really because before I was really kids, so I 165 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 1: didn't know what but it's really going on. I was 166 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:33,920 Speaker 1: really terrified and I was really scared, and I didn't 167 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:36,319 Speaker 1: know what is really going to happen. But now when 168 00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:38,079 Speaker 1: I'm kind of an adult and I know what is 169 00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:40,560 Speaker 1: really going on and I see the kids when when 170 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 1: because for example, the last four especially when I'm even outside, 171 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:47,199 Speaker 1: guess that's completely completely different, you know, because when you're 172 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 1: inside Gaza, you with your family and your friends, top apply, 173 00:10:50,280 --> 00:10:54,320 Speaker 1: it's really different. But now when I can see how 174 00:10:54,360 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 1: the kids they are screaming, how the kids they they 175 00:10:57,480 --> 00:10:59,840 Speaker 1: they have this kind of feeling, you know that you know, 176 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 1: they are very terrififiled with the poemps because it sneaks 177 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:06,720 Speaker 1: to them. So I can really remember myself and I 178 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:12,199 Speaker 1: just go through back, you know, the memory, the stories 179 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:15,199 Speaker 1: that really happened, the memories, a lot of memories before 180 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 1: about that it was really crazy. 181 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:20,840 Speaker 2: We're going to go on a quick ad break, but 182 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:24,480 Speaker 2: when we get back, Ahmed will talk about his long 183 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:39,920 Speaker 2: experience trying to leave Gaza. When Ahmed was younger, he 184 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:43,720 Speaker 2: began to share videos online of his athletic skills, slowly 185 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:48,840 Speaker 2: gaining notoriety around the world for his pretty impressive parker ability. 186 00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:52,400 Speaker 2: Soon both himself and Pik Gaza were being invited around 187 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 2: the world to perform a parkour or to enter into 188 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:59,320 Speaker 2: parker competitions. P k Gaza was invited to the Arabian 189 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 2: TV show Arabs Got Talent, but they were unable to 190 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:06,280 Speaker 2: go on the program due to difficulties traveling outside Gaza. 191 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:10,120 Speaker 2: During this time period, the Rafa border crossing into Egypt 192 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:12,800 Speaker 2: was only open around six times a year and for 193 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:16,160 Speaker 2: only a few days. To catch a flight out of Egypt, 194 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 2: you need to have all of your proper paperwork, tickets, 195 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:22,360 Speaker 2: and a valid visa which lines up perfectly for when 196 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:26,320 Speaker 2: the Rafa border crossing happens to be open, and you 197 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:28,240 Speaker 2: have to also hope that you're not in the back 198 00:12:28,280 --> 00:12:30,480 Speaker 2: of the line to get through the border crossing because 199 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:32,920 Speaker 2: they only let a certain number of people through each day. 200 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:36,920 Speaker 2: Ahmed was invited to participate in the Red Bull Parker 201 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:40,319 Speaker 2: Challenge in China and even successfully got a visa to travel, 202 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 2: but wasn't able to leave Gaza because the Rafa border 203 00:12:43,559 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 2: crossing was closed during the timeframe when the visa was valid. 204 00:12:48,360 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 2: The US based World Free Running and Parker Federation tried 205 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:54,680 Speaker 2: to help Ahmed travel to the United States to participate 206 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:59,080 Speaker 2: in the wfpf's twenty sixteen competition in Las Vegas, but 207 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:03,120 Speaker 2: Ahmed was unable to get an American travel visa due 208 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:06,360 Speaker 2: to long wait times to use the Northern border crossing 209 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 2: into Jerusalem, and even if you did manage to get 210 00:13:09,520 --> 00:13:12,320 Speaker 2: into Israel, it was quite difficult to receive a US 211 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 2: travel visa as applicants were frequently denied. A park Ori 212 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:20,680 Speaker 2: Gym in Italy frequently invited Ahmed to participate in their 213 00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 2: summer and winter events, but the Italian embassy denied requests 214 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:29,680 Speaker 2: for a travel visa three times. In late twenty sixteen, 215 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 2: Ahmed got invited to the Air Whip Parkour Challenge in Sweden, 216 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 2: and with the help of some Swedish friends, he was 217 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:41,520 Speaker 2: able to secure a travel visa in just two weeks. Unfortunately, 218 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:45,520 Speaker 2: when Ahmed got the visa, the Rafa crossing was closed, 219 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:48,959 Speaker 2: but by pure luck, just one day later it was 220 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 2: announced that the crossing would be reopening. When he went 221 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:55,840 Speaker 2: to the crossing, he learned that there were thirty thousand 222 00:13:55,920 --> 00:13:59,680 Speaker 2: people in line in front of him, with the crossing 223 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:02,680 Speaker 2: only he said to be opened briefly and the temporary 224 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:07,200 Speaker 2: visa set to expire. It was not looking great. After 225 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:10,439 Speaker 2: a very challenging series of events that Ahmed is about 226 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:14,040 Speaker 2: to explain, he was able to get to Sweden and 227 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:16,679 Speaker 2: just last year he started in a play about his 228 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 2: own life and his journey traveling from Gaza to Sweden. 229 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:23,440 Speaker 4: Tell us a little bit about this. This is going 230 00:14:23,520 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 4: to be a play about your life that they're doing 231 00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 4: in Sweden. 232 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:29,120 Speaker 3: So we have had the premiere for the play in 233 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 3: ninth of May. So we have been doing the show 234 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:37,800 Speaker 3: for a while now, like we have had eight performances 235 00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:43,280 Speaker 3: at the moment, and the play is about me with 236 00:14:43,440 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 3: my family and then my friends from Picky Gaza. I 237 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 3: also talks about the journey from Gazza to Sweden, which 238 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 3: was the biggest part of the play that yeah, talking 239 00:14:55,720 --> 00:15:00,160 Speaker 3: exactly about how it is to face the visa. There's 240 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 3: an embassy Egyptian control, Egyptian security when we get out 241 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:09,640 Speaker 3: of Gaza, that they have to also a Palestinian side 242 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:12,640 Speaker 3: that they have to interview. Was every if I have 243 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:16,960 Speaker 3: the visa. Let's say I got the visa after some trial, 244 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:20,120 Speaker 3: then I have to apply for the trouble which I 245 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:22,720 Speaker 3: have to stand in the queue behind all of that 246 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 3: people who already applied before me, which is image nine 247 00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 3: thirty one thousand, Mike, you number is thirty thousand. Then 248 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 3: I have to wait. And okay, let's say I got 249 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:37,800 Speaker 3: in front of all of that people and today I 250 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:40,760 Speaker 3: am here in the Palestinian side. Then this Palestinian side, 251 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 3: then RAPA orders have to interview me and check all 252 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 3: why do I need to travel? Show me your documents 253 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 3: if I have any mistaken my documents, and I go 254 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 3: back to Gaza. Even if all my documents, I have 255 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:56,440 Speaker 3: the vision and everything. And then if you don't want 256 00:15:56,480 --> 00:16:00,160 Speaker 3: me to travel, then I have to stay in Gaza. Okay, 257 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 3: let's say I did best the Palestinian side. I am 258 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:08,120 Speaker 3: in the Egyptian security side, and there one time the 259 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:11,920 Speaker 3: Egyptian security sent me back to Gaza after waiting. I 260 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 3: have the visa, and I was like, no, what are 261 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:17,600 Speaker 3: you going to do. I'm going to do parkour. I 262 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:23,160 Speaker 3: have a poor competition out what is parkour? Jump? Oh, 263 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:26,600 Speaker 3: then you go jump back in Gaza. I have to 264 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:29,840 Speaker 3: go back. And my family did not expect I would 265 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:31,920 Speaker 3: be back in as because I was at home around 266 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:35,120 Speaker 3: five am in the morning and I was a whole 267 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:38,960 Speaker 3: day like waiting to get to the Egyptian side, and 268 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:43,240 Speaker 3: then from there he sent me back and yeah, and 269 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 3: the end, I mean, without the help I could, I 270 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:51,080 Speaker 3: would not have to travel because thirty thousand people in 271 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:53,360 Speaker 3: front of me. I have the Q number, but I 272 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:56,920 Speaker 3: am behind them, and I have the visa that will 273 00:16:56,960 --> 00:17:01,080 Speaker 3: expire in two days. Like let's say that starts in 274 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 3: two days and it will expire in twenty days. And 275 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 3: if I don't travel in this twenty days, my visa 276 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:11,639 Speaker 3: will expire and then I cannot travel with him. And 277 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 3: the only thing I had to do was like going 278 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:17,320 Speaker 3: to the crossing the first day with my father. He 279 00:17:17,359 --> 00:17:19,880 Speaker 3: went with me and we just stand there in front 280 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,680 Speaker 3: of the crossing. It's you know, there is a control. 281 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:26,080 Speaker 3: There is a list with names that you cannot really 282 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:29,600 Speaker 3: cross if you don't get any help. So I go 283 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:32,879 Speaker 3: there and then we just waited around six hours, me 284 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:35,480 Speaker 3: and my father. Then the sunset came and good dark, 285 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:37,919 Speaker 3: and then he was like, I cannot do anything. We 286 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:39,840 Speaker 3: have to go back. And then we went back home. 287 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:43,160 Speaker 3: The day after my fight, tell my father live, can 288 00:17:43,200 --> 00:17:45,199 Speaker 3: we go? I have to travel. I have the visa 289 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:49,360 Speaker 3: I just will expire. And then he was like, well, 290 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:52,040 Speaker 3: I cannot do anything. He don't know what he will do, 291 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:55,399 Speaker 3: my father. So I told him, okay, I will go 292 00:17:55,480 --> 00:17:59,720 Speaker 3: for the guy. We have a guy close to us 293 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:02,960 Speaker 3: like that say my neighbor, but he's a far neighbor. 294 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:06,840 Speaker 3: And he was the manager of the crossings between us, 295 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:12,919 Speaker 3: like the manager of coordinating the visas or like the 296 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:16,560 Speaker 3: list between US and Egypt. So he can really do 297 00:18:16,640 --> 00:18:20,080 Speaker 3: whatever he wants. He can enter Egypt whenever he wants. 298 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:23,360 Speaker 3: He's a very friend between Egyptians. So he's the manager 299 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:26,399 Speaker 3: of the cross he's the boss. So I go to 300 00:18:26,520 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 3: him and I wait him outside his car like so 301 00:18:29,560 --> 00:18:32,240 Speaker 3: I was close to his car waiting him to get 302 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 3: out of his home. I know he goes to his 303 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:37,239 Speaker 3: work around eight in the morning. Then I wake up 304 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:39,720 Speaker 3: at seven in the morning and I go there waiting 305 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:41,560 Speaker 3: him to come to his car. I see his car. 306 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:43,480 Speaker 3: Then I was really happy that he did not leave 307 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:46,400 Speaker 3: to his work and I knew that he's still there 308 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:50,280 Speaker 3: and I was waiting, waiting, and then he came and 309 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 3: then I show him my visa and I really have 310 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 3: to travel the competition and they have to join this competition. 311 00:18:55,840 --> 00:19:02,360 Speaker 3: And then he was like, okay, but have the Q number. Yes, but. 312 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:06,360 Speaker 5: I am the last in the list. Okay, but how 313 00:19:06,440 --> 00:19:09,399 Speaker 5: will we do? I cannot tell you, but I have already. 314 00:19:09,480 --> 00:19:11,879 Speaker 5: I told him I have already been into Egypt before, 315 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:15,080 Speaker 5: but the Egyptian security sent me back to Gaza and 316 00:19:15,440 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 5: he told me, do you have the registration of that 317 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:21,359 Speaker 5: the time you travel? And I told him yes, and 318 00:19:21,440 --> 00:19:24,600 Speaker 5: did have that time, and it was okay, follow me 319 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:27,760 Speaker 5: to the cross and I told him, yeah, but I 320 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:29,840 Speaker 5: can I go with you in your car so you 321 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:33,880 Speaker 5: don't forget me when you go there. Because he's very 322 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:36,760 Speaker 5: like Beoble to just run after him and a crossing 323 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:41,639 Speaker 5: Marianda there, I had to tell you, I want to 324 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:44,560 Speaker 5: go with you, and he said, yes, okay, you can 325 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:45,080 Speaker 5: come with me. 326 00:19:45,880 --> 00:19:48,359 Speaker 3: And then he told me, but you cannot stop. I 327 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 3: told him, can I stop her and say goodbye to 328 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:52,480 Speaker 3: my family first, because they did not know that I 329 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:54,639 Speaker 3: will travel. I just took a very small bag with 330 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:57,440 Speaker 3: me in case. I really had like a tack bag 331 00:19:57,520 --> 00:20:00,760 Speaker 3: with me. And he said, yeah, but you cannot stop. 332 00:20:01,359 --> 00:20:03,280 Speaker 3: I have to go now. And then I was okay, 333 00:20:03,359 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 3: I called my mom, Mom, he's going to help me, 334 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 3: and but I cannot stop say goodbye. And then yeah. 335 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:14,120 Speaker 3: I went to the crossing and he put me into 336 00:20:14,200 --> 00:20:17,720 Speaker 3: like a viv list that I had to go like 337 00:20:17,800 --> 00:20:21,280 Speaker 3: in a very special past that was just five people 338 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:26,480 Speaker 3: in it. And I was very like respected by the 339 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:29,199 Speaker 3: control there and there was like I got all the 340 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:32,040 Speaker 3: way today to Egypt. And in Egypt, I really met 341 00:20:32,080 --> 00:20:35,679 Speaker 3: the same guy that he also asked me about parkour 342 00:20:35,840 --> 00:20:40,280 Speaker 3: and he was like, oh you And then my friend, 343 00:20:40,359 --> 00:20:43,080 Speaker 3: the guy that manager of the crossing told me show 344 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:46,920 Speaker 3: him what parkour is. I really had to go a 345 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:49,920 Speaker 3: slept for him. I did a workst in that room 346 00:20:49,960 --> 00:20:53,840 Speaker 3: where he the control chick, and I was oh, wow, 347 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:58,159 Speaker 3: so cool. Okay, here's the stamp enter to Egypt. But 348 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:02,920 Speaker 3: I had to go into that airport. He did not know, 349 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:06,400 Speaker 3: you know, the Egyptian don't understand the visa. Like if 350 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:09,760 Speaker 3: it's in the visa, it says that it's gonna be 351 00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:13,520 Speaker 3: valid in this day. If it's valid in this like, 352 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:16,360 Speaker 3: imagine I get the visa today, but it's not valid yet, 353 00:21:17,080 --> 00:21:19,680 Speaker 3: but the crossing is open today and tomorrow and the 354 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:22,120 Speaker 3: day after. I have to travel in these three days. 355 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:25,439 Speaker 3: Then the crossing will close for another six months. So 356 00:21:25,480 --> 00:21:27,800 Speaker 3: I had to travel in the days otherwise I will 357 00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:31,920 Speaker 3: lose my visa. So my visa was not valid at 358 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:35,159 Speaker 3: that time. I traveled from Kazas, so he thought that 359 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:38,040 Speaker 3: it's valid. So it was oh, go to the airport 360 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:40,479 Speaker 3: now and travel from there. He thought that I can 361 00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:43,600 Speaker 3: travel to Europe directly, but if my visa is not valid, 362 00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:46,280 Speaker 3: Europe would not let me in. So I had to 363 00:21:46,280 --> 00:21:49,399 Speaker 3: stay in the airport that time that my visa was 364 00:21:49,480 --> 00:21:55,960 Speaker 3: not valid, which was five days and then and I traveled, 365 00:21:56,119 --> 00:21:58,480 Speaker 3: but I had to wait in the airport because he 366 00:21:58,520 --> 00:21:59,960 Speaker 3: did not understand my visa. 367 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:04,320 Speaker 2: No one should have to do a Webster front flip 368 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 2: to cross a border. Because there was still one week 369 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:12,480 Speaker 2: left until the visa became valid, Egyptian security sent Ahmed 370 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:15,560 Speaker 2: straight to the airport to wait for the week. While 371 00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:18,600 Speaker 2: in Limbo. At the airport, the Egyptian authorities locked him 372 00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:21,840 Speaker 2: in a small room without his phone or his belongings 373 00:22:22,320 --> 00:22:27,080 Speaker 2: until the visa became valid. After many harsh difficulties and 374 00:22:27,160 --> 00:22:43,760 Speaker 2: compounding inconveniences, Ahmed boarded his plane for Europe. Ahmed has 375 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:46,720 Speaker 2: built a life for himself in Sweden. He's been teaching 376 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:50,080 Speaker 2: parkour classes there for years now. In fact, that's how 377 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:52,720 Speaker 2: the play came about. The mother of one of his 378 00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:55,760 Speaker 2: students is a theater director and she became interested in 379 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:59,760 Speaker 2: his story. By his account, life is much better for 380 00:22:59,840 --> 00:23:02,679 Speaker 2: him him now, but he still is not free to 381 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:05,040 Speaker 2: see his own family or to go back to his 382 00:23:05,119 --> 00:23:08,880 Speaker 2: original home. Getting into Gaza is almost as hard as 383 00:23:09,040 --> 00:23:10,000 Speaker 2: getting out of Gaza. 384 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:15,080 Speaker 4: And hopefully you guys can get back into your families too, 385 00:23:15,080 --> 00:23:18,879 Speaker 4: because I know that must be really difficult, being separated 386 00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:20,119 Speaker 4: and not being able to get back. 387 00:23:20,760 --> 00:23:23,359 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's been six years almost. 388 00:23:23,320 --> 00:23:26,440 Speaker 4: Jesus said, yeah, that's really hard, you. 389 00:23:26,400 --> 00:23:31,880 Speaker 3: Know, dramat the theater. I've invited my brother and luckily 390 00:23:32,040 --> 00:23:35,280 Speaker 3: he got the visa from first time. He got help 391 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:39,440 Speaker 3: from the same guy that helped me and asked them 392 00:23:39,440 --> 00:23:42,080 Speaker 3: and he put him into a special vest. He traveled 393 00:23:42,119 --> 00:23:46,440 Speaker 3: from Gaza with having doing and now he's here. Oh wow. 394 00:23:46,920 --> 00:23:48,639 Speaker 4: He didn't have to do a backflip in the visa. 395 00:23:49,680 --> 00:23:51,760 Speaker 3: Now I did not. Because he's an artist and he 396 00:23:51,880 --> 00:23:55,000 Speaker 3: had the visa and everything. So he got the visa 397 00:23:55,359 --> 00:23:59,959 Speaker 3: because Dramat in the Theater Center invited him to be 398 00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:03,399 Speaker 3: part of the show with his oh cool bas of 399 00:24:03,480 --> 00:24:09,440 Speaker 3: fabric that he drove. True. Yeah, Abdullah the same way 400 00:24:09,520 --> 00:24:14,920 Speaker 3: with the Yeah, if you don't have someone to help you, 401 00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:15,960 Speaker 3: you would not travel. 402 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:18,440 Speaker 4: Yeah, it shouldn't be that way. 403 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:21,560 Speaker 3: Abdullah had to get it also held because his visa 404 00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:26,960 Speaker 3: also was also one week, one week and they have 405 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:29,160 Speaker 3: to travel in that week, and he's named the last 406 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:29,639 Speaker 3: of the place. 407 00:24:31,040 --> 00:24:34,399 Speaker 2: Unfortunately, Abdullah had some internet issues and some of the 408 00:24:34,440 --> 00:24:38,200 Speaker 2: audio isn't usable. But he similarly only made it out 409 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:41,080 Speaker 2: of Gaza because he had a friend who had a 410 00:24:41,119 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 2: contact at the Italian consulate. When Abdullah tried to apply 411 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:49,359 Speaker 2: for the visa, the office wasn't taking any more applications, 412 00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:52,480 Speaker 2: but this friend was able to explain Abdullah's situation to 413 00:24:52,520 --> 00:24:55,080 Speaker 2: the consulate and they decided to give him a travel visa. 414 00:24:56,000 --> 00:24:58,760 Speaker 2: Abdullah also had to travel through Egypt and was forced 415 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:00,840 Speaker 2: to stay in a small presence well for three days 416 00:25:00,840 --> 00:25:04,280 Speaker 2: without food or water. Once he got to the Cairo airport, 417 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:08,520 Speaker 2: the German airline he was booked on refused to accept 418 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:12,320 Speaker 2: his paperwork because they didn't want the responsibility of stamping 419 00:25:12,320 --> 00:25:16,600 Speaker 2: his passport with the alternative of just going back to Gaza, 420 00:25:16,720 --> 00:25:19,720 Speaker 2: Abdullah was able to find a manager of sorts and 421 00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:23,280 Speaker 2: explain his situation with the travel visa and needing to 422 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:27,040 Speaker 2: go to this film premiere for this Parkhorp thing. You know, 423 00:25:27,359 --> 00:25:31,240 Speaker 2: it's not the easiest thing to explain, not everyone knows 424 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:35,040 Speaker 2: what parkhor is, but the manager was sympathetic, and then, 425 00:25:35,520 --> 00:25:38,760 Speaker 2: just like what happened with Abed, they requested a Parkourt 426 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:42,760 Speaker 2: demonstration to see if this guy was actually telling the truth. 427 00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:47,159 Speaker 2: So the already exhausted Abdullah did a backflip in the 428 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:50,840 Speaker 2: airport as he was recovering from the COVID vaccine, and 429 00:25:50,880 --> 00:25:54,840 Speaker 2: then the manager, seemingly satisfied, transferred him from this German 430 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 2: airline to an Egyptian airline and he was able to 431 00:25:58,080 --> 00:26:01,040 Speaker 2: make it to Italy and escape the prison of Gaza. 432 00:26:01,720 --> 00:26:04,360 Speaker 1: When when you're anyone who's in prison, the only thing 433 00:26:04,400 --> 00:26:06,080 Speaker 1: that he thinks about I mean, when you're a prison 434 00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:08,439 Speaker 1: for the whole life, I mean, the only thing they 435 00:26:08,480 --> 00:26:10,440 Speaker 1: think about is just have to escape. Now, I mean 436 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:13,920 Speaker 1: that's normally because you just want to be free because 437 00:26:13,920 --> 00:26:14,600 Speaker 1: you're in prison. 438 00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:17,640 Speaker 3: I've never been into the prisons, I. 439 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:20,400 Speaker 1: Mean, I've never had no We both sall. 440 00:26:20,880 --> 00:26:23,119 Speaker 3: I mean, I've been to the Brazen of Gaza, but 441 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:24,040 Speaker 3: not the real. 442 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:28,600 Speaker 1: Exact That's exactly what I mean. So we both we 443 00:26:28,600 --> 00:26:31,719 Speaker 1: were in a prison which is open, big prison, and 444 00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:34,640 Speaker 1: the only way that we were thinking about is how 445 00:26:35,119 --> 00:26:38,040 Speaker 1: to get out of that, and the owner was really 446 00:26:38,080 --> 00:26:40,640 Speaker 1: possible is just to use per four as an opportunity 447 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:44,080 Speaker 1: for us so we can get our freedom. And somehow 448 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:46,879 Speaker 1: now you're in Sweden and me in Italy, we have 449 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:49,359 Speaker 1: this grant freedom. But at the same time it's really 450 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:52,359 Speaker 1: hard because our family is all friends and everyone we 451 00:26:52,520 --> 00:26:57,560 Speaker 1: still connected, so it's like still connected. 452 00:26:58,040 --> 00:27:00,080 Speaker 3: Like I mean, I was trying to meet my and 453 00:27:00,160 --> 00:27:03,679 Speaker 3: the last in this summer, and I applied for the 454 00:27:03,720 --> 00:27:07,879 Speaker 3: Egyptian visa. Because I still don't have the Swedish passports, 455 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:11,760 Speaker 3: I have to apply as a Palestinian to go back 456 00:27:11,880 --> 00:27:15,960 Speaker 3: or to visit Egypt. So I applied for the Egyptian 457 00:27:16,080 --> 00:27:19,320 Speaker 3: visa to visit my family because my mother was in 458 00:27:19,359 --> 00:27:23,640 Speaker 3: Egypt and she was there to to attend the marriage 459 00:27:23,640 --> 00:27:28,560 Speaker 3: of my accent. But she was there in Egypt with 460 00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:33,520 Speaker 3: my sister and the Yeah, I applied for the visa. 461 00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:35,080 Speaker 3: I never with the visa, so I had to say, 462 00:27:35,320 --> 00:27:43,160 Speaker 3: so it's like I'm not free yet. Yeah, I mean, yeah, 463 00:27:43,280 --> 00:27:46,800 Speaker 3: I will get the Swedish passport soon. I don't know when, 464 00:27:46,920 --> 00:27:49,560 Speaker 3: but I'm sure it's not more than six months from now, 465 00:27:49,560 --> 00:27:52,520 Speaker 3: because I have been applying. I have applied six months 466 00:27:52,520 --> 00:27:56,399 Speaker 3: ago and it's usually not more than a year to 467 00:27:56,440 --> 00:27:59,560 Speaker 3: get the decity. And usually it's accepted if you have 468 00:28:00,280 --> 00:28:03,840 Speaker 3: everything correct in the country, like if you're legal and 469 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:08,560 Speaker 3: you pay attacks and working, you're studying and another language, 470 00:28:09,040 --> 00:28:11,560 Speaker 3: I'm good there, Just like I have to wait. So 471 00:28:11,600 --> 00:28:13,280 Speaker 3: in the end I will be able to meet them. 472 00:28:13,720 --> 00:28:16,199 Speaker 3: I would not be able. I would not say I 473 00:28:16,240 --> 00:28:22,080 Speaker 3: will be free to enter Gazza whenever I want, because yeah, 474 00:28:22,200 --> 00:28:24,359 Speaker 3: to enter gas at the moment I hear from people, 475 00:28:24,400 --> 00:28:28,000 Speaker 3: it takes like three to four days and you suffer 476 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:30,520 Speaker 3: in the way, just like you have to stay in 477 00:28:30,600 --> 00:28:35,720 Speaker 3: the car these three days and every thousand kilometers one 478 00:28:35,760 --> 00:28:39,480 Speaker 3: thousand meters, you get to stop by a control like 479 00:28:39,520 --> 00:28:42,560 Speaker 3: a road control that you need to check everything you have, 480 00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:46,280 Speaker 3: every bag you have, take it out in the road 481 00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:49,920 Speaker 3: and you have put it back by yourself, and then 482 00:28:49,960 --> 00:28:53,840 Speaker 3: the car continues another thousand another control, and then in 483 00:28:53,880 --> 00:28:55,720 Speaker 3: the end you arrive like Gus and you say, this 484 00:28:55,840 --> 00:29:01,360 Speaker 3: is the worst part of my Gaz because they don't 485 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:03,440 Speaker 3: want to do it again. They don't want to get 486 00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:06,000 Speaker 3: to Gaza and suffer the same way again. I'm the 487 00:29:06,160 --> 00:29:09,680 Speaker 3: same to get out of Gaza. To get out of Gaza. 488 00:29:10,120 --> 00:29:12,960 Speaker 3: I mean, if I have the Swedish passport, for sure 489 00:29:13,480 --> 00:29:17,360 Speaker 3: I will have I will have the able to travel 490 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:21,120 Speaker 3: from Gaza without worrying about getting a piece or not. 491 00:29:21,240 --> 00:29:23,040 Speaker 3: But in the same time, yeah, I need to wait 492 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:26,680 Speaker 3: an aqueue when while I travel, When I will be 493 00:29:26,760 --> 00:29:29,160 Speaker 3: able to travel from Gaza, is it like gonna be 494 00:29:29,240 --> 00:29:33,240 Speaker 3: one month, two months, three months, because it's like thousands 495 00:29:33,360 --> 00:29:35,360 Speaker 3: of people who want to travel, and it just they 496 00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:39,320 Speaker 3: allow five hundred people a day and that's maximum, and 497 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:42,960 Speaker 3: then I don't allow any more of that people. And 498 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:47,000 Speaker 3: then also they they closed the crossing at any moment. 499 00:29:47,320 --> 00:29:50,800 Speaker 3: And I remember the time I traveled from Gaza was 500 00:29:50,840 --> 00:29:54,240 Speaker 3: the crossing was closed for six months to three six 501 00:29:54,280 --> 00:29:59,000 Speaker 3: months and it was none it was not open at all, 502 00:29:59,040 --> 00:30:02,480 Speaker 3: and it was started one thousand people in the front 503 00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:05,080 Speaker 3: of me in the queue, thirty one thousand. So I 504 00:30:05,160 --> 00:30:07,240 Speaker 3: imagine like I was the last person in the queue 505 00:30:07,240 --> 00:30:10,080 Speaker 3: and they have to wait all of the people to travel, 506 00:30:10,680 --> 00:30:13,400 Speaker 3: and the crossing was open just the three days every 507 00:30:13,480 --> 00:30:17,880 Speaker 3: three months. That means like in this three days, it's 508 00:30:17,920 --> 00:30:20,720 Speaker 3: one thousand, five hundred. When is the rest gonna travel? 509 00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:24,320 Speaker 3: And will I have to travel? And imagine you have 510 00:30:24,400 --> 00:30:29,480 Speaker 3: a visa that is valid for like ten days. If 511 00:30:29,480 --> 00:30:31,760 Speaker 3: you get the visa just for event in Europe that 512 00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:34,640 Speaker 3: is just three days, and then you get the visa 513 00:30:34,680 --> 00:30:37,760 Speaker 3: for ten days, and then if you don't travel in 514 00:30:37,800 --> 00:30:40,320 Speaker 3: that ten days, your visa get expired, and then you 515 00:30:40,400 --> 00:30:43,400 Speaker 3: have to apply for a new visa. And then after 516 00:30:43,480 --> 00:30:46,240 Speaker 3: that you have to wait because if you get refused visa, 517 00:30:46,680 --> 00:30:49,280 Speaker 3: you cannot apply directly. You have to wait six three 518 00:30:49,320 --> 00:30:52,720 Speaker 3: to six months and then you can apply for the 519 00:30:52,760 --> 00:30:57,240 Speaker 3: new visa. So it's really terrible, like I don't want 520 00:30:57,280 --> 00:30:59,640 Speaker 3: to go through all of that process again. That's why 521 00:31:00,080 --> 00:31:04,600 Speaker 3: side stay in Sweden and work in Sweden and get 522 00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:08,000 Speaker 3: a Swedish citizenship where I can travel freely without worrying 523 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:12,080 Speaker 3: about getting a visa or not. And because till now, 524 00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:15,560 Speaker 3: because I'm not Swedish, I have to think about getting 525 00:31:15,560 --> 00:31:17,800 Speaker 3: a visa or not. Will I be refuse this or not? 526 00:31:17,960 --> 00:31:23,520 Speaker 3: And even Egyptian embassy refused my visa and they did 527 00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:26,600 Speaker 3: not even answer me. I called them every day, did 528 00:31:26,600 --> 00:31:28,720 Speaker 3: I get the visa? When will you give me the visa? 529 00:31:28,960 --> 00:31:32,440 Speaker 3: I go to their officer in Stockholm the end like, oh, 530 00:31:32,880 --> 00:31:35,040 Speaker 3: you have to call us, send us an email, and 531 00:31:35,080 --> 00:31:37,920 Speaker 3: I call and send the in Oh, we will call 532 00:31:37,960 --> 00:31:40,040 Speaker 3: you when you get the visa. But will you call 533 00:31:40,120 --> 00:31:42,640 Speaker 3: me that if I don't get the visa. No, we 534 00:31:42,680 --> 00:31:48,320 Speaker 3: will call you when you get the visa. And then 535 00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:50,080 Speaker 3: I said to my mom, I'm not coming to they. 536 00:31:51,880 --> 00:31:55,120 Speaker 4: Yeah, that sounds rough. And I know for a long 537 00:31:55,120 --> 00:31:58,200 Speaker 4: time Abdallah was in Ghaza when you were in Sweden, right, 538 00:31:58,200 --> 00:32:01,000 Speaker 4: and Abdellah was trying to get the visa to travel. 539 00:32:01,280 --> 00:32:03,320 Speaker 4: Last time we spoke, you hadn't been able to get one. 540 00:32:03,400 --> 00:32:05,560 Speaker 4: So I'm glad you did. I'm glad you're now a 541 00:32:05,560 --> 00:32:06,040 Speaker 4: film star. 542 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:10,720 Speaker 3: You have been applying many times. Yeah, remember we went 543 00:32:10,800 --> 00:32:13,160 Speaker 3: together many times and they also like there is a 544 00:32:13,440 --> 00:32:16,720 Speaker 3: weird and also invited him and she had also and 545 00:32:17,160 --> 00:32:20,360 Speaker 3: they got refused viza. And I'm sure he applied the 546 00:32:20,440 --> 00:32:26,440 Speaker 3: Folso to Italy and he applied for England. I also 547 00:32:26,480 --> 00:32:32,360 Speaker 3: applied Italy. I got refused Italian visa around four times, 548 00:32:32,680 --> 00:32:38,600 Speaker 3: and I got the refused visa from Norway Oslo. I 549 00:32:38,720 --> 00:32:45,400 Speaker 3: got some event in two that's thirteen and USA fight 550 00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:50,560 Speaker 3: did me like for Las Vegas and WFTF invited you 551 00:32:50,720 --> 00:32:53,880 Speaker 3: for an event in Las Vegas that they could not 552 00:32:54,080 --> 00:33:01,320 Speaker 3: make and also Germany Hamburg and Hannah Over they invited 553 00:33:01,360 --> 00:33:04,920 Speaker 3: me and there was many events that I could not make. 554 00:33:06,320 --> 00:33:08,000 Speaker 3: In the end I could make it to airwork. But 555 00:33:08,120 --> 00:33:10,200 Speaker 3: the first year of the airwork like they invited me 556 00:33:10,280 --> 00:33:14,640 Speaker 3: to fifteen and I applied for the visa, I did 557 00:33:14,680 --> 00:33:17,200 Speaker 3: not get it. And then the year after twenty sixteen 558 00:33:17,240 --> 00:33:20,000 Speaker 3: and he got the visa because I had the help 559 00:33:20,040 --> 00:33:24,160 Speaker 3: also from another private invitation. So I got double invitations 560 00:33:24,680 --> 00:33:29,840 Speaker 3: that it made it stronger for the consulate and the 561 00:33:30,160 --> 00:33:34,760 Speaker 3: embassy in jury residence the visa and it was like yeah, 562 00:33:34,760 --> 00:33:39,440 Speaker 3: it was twenty one days visa and directly when I 563 00:33:39,560 --> 00:33:42,280 Speaker 3: arrived with and as like my friend knew, I don't 564 00:33:42,320 --> 00:33:44,640 Speaker 3: want to go back. So they taught me to the 565 00:33:44,760 --> 00:33:49,800 Speaker 3: migration office in Helsingborg in Malmo, and there I extended 566 00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:53,480 Speaker 3: my visa for six months first and in that six 567 00:33:53,560 --> 00:33:57,240 Speaker 3: months I wanted to work and stay here, so I 568 00:33:57,360 --> 00:34:01,920 Speaker 3: started to look for a job. I started my own 569 00:34:02,000 --> 00:34:04,960 Speaker 3: jobs actually, like start to work with hardcore or myself, 570 00:34:05,040 --> 00:34:09,319 Speaker 3: like making classes that I was teaching in English. And 571 00:34:09,520 --> 00:34:13,040 Speaker 3: I had one of the students translating to the kids 572 00:34:13,080 --> 00:34:18,279 Speaker 3: in Swedish, so he was getting three classes. It was tough. 573 00:34:18,320 --> 00:34:20,759 Speaker 3: At that time. I was like it was hard for 574 00:34:20,840 --> 00:34:23,120 Speaker 3: him also to translate because he was not more than 575 00:34:23,360 --> 00:34:28,080 Speaker 3: thirteen years old. He was so shy and everything. And 576 00:34:28,840 --> 00:34:33,320 Speaker 3: I was Forrest. Forrest to learn the Swedish language because 577 00:34:33,360 --> 00:34:36,759 Speaker 3: of that, because I wanted to work, and I just 578 00:34:36,760 --> 00:34:41,279 Speaker 3: started to know hands head and the food news and 579 00:34:41,560 --> 00:34:45,080 Speaker 3: it was easy because it was similar to English. And 580 00:34:45,120 --> 00:34:48,040 Speaker 3: by the time the kids had taught me to speak 581 00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:50,919 Speaker 3: Swedish at the moment, because it was the only way 582 00:34:50,960 --> 00:34:53,760 Speaker 3: I learned Swedish, it was my way to learn Swedish 583 00:34:53,960 --> 00:34:56,200 Speaker 3: was I was the kids all the time. The kids 584 00:34:56,400 --> 00:34:59,960 Speaker 3: language was the eighties to take like to back out 585 00:35:00,120 --> 00:35:02,719 Speaker 3: because the kids have a sample language that you can 586 00:35:02,840 --> 00:35:06,640 Speaker 3: really learn it much faster than talking with an adult 587 00:35:06,680 --> 00:35:11,440 Speaker 3: that talks really fast and talking very advanced Swedish. I 588 00:35:11,600 --> 00:35:14,120 Speaker 3: dreamed to travel from Gaza, and then I made it. 589 00:35:14,280 --> 00:35:17,240 Speaker 3: I did travel from Gaza, and then you think, Okay, 590 00:35:17,320 --> 00:35:20,560 Speaker 3: what do I want to make next, and then I 591 00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:22,839 Speaker 3: I want to work with Parkour, and then I start 592 00:35:22,960 --> 00:35:26,200 Speaker 3: working with Parkpur. I never expected that I would be 593 00:35:26,320 --> 00:35:30,440 Speaker 3: in the biggest theater stage in Sweden, and then I 594 00:35:30,480 --> 00:35:33,320 Speaker 3: am here in the biggest theater stage in Sweden. That's 595 00:35:33,360 --> 00:35:36,319 Speaker 3: just like being overle come and watch my store and 596 00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:39,640 Speaker 3: watch me performing Parkour and telling my story to the 597 00:35:40,040 --> 00:35:42,360 Speaker 3: It's like I never think thought about it, but just 598 00:35:42,480 --> 00:35:43,719 Speaker 3: Parkour brought back to me. 599 00:35:44,719 --> 00:35:48,480 Speaker 2: As an extra note, earlier this week, James spoke with 600 00:35:48,800 --> 00:35:52,239 Speaker 2: Ahmed and Abdullah, and as a few days ago at 601 00:35:52,320 --> 00:35:56,000 Speaker 2: least both of their families were okay. Obviously, this is 602 00:35:56,080 --> 00:35:59,000 Speaker 2: an ongoing situation, but I just wanted to add that 603 00:35:59,120 --> 00:36:01,520 Speaker 2: in here as that's the most up to date information 604 00:36:01,600 --> 00:36:06,320 Speaker 2: we have. Ahmed is still in Sweden, is still doing Parker. 605 00:36:06,920 --> 00:36:09,799 Speaker 2: You can find him at Matargaza on Instagram or his 606 00:36:09,840 --> 00:36:17,200 Speaker 2: website Matargaza dot com. That's Matargaza dot com. Abdullah is 607 00:36:17,239 --> 00:36:19,760 Speaker 2: still in Italy and is studying to become an English teacher, 608 00:36:20,160 --> 00:36:24,160 Speaker 2: and just last February, Ahmed and Abdullah were able to 609 00:36:24,160 --> 00:36:26,839 Speaker 2: see each other in person for the first time in 610 00:36:26,920 --> 00:36:30,440 Speaker 2: quite a while. The documentary that Abdullah is in is 611 00:36:30,480 --> 00:36:34,080 Speaker 2: called One More Jump. It's about very similar questions on 612 00:36:34,280 --> 00:36:37,160 Speaker 2: whether it's worth it to stay and fight for your 613 00:36:37,200 --> 00:36:41,040 Speaker 2: country or try to escape and fulfill your dreams. Thank 614 00:36:41,040 --> 00:36:44,160 Speaker 2: you once again to Abdullah and Ahmed for talking with us. 615 00:36:44,520 --> 00:36:47,080 Speaker 2: I'll link their social medias in the show notes below. 616 00:36:47,920 --> 00:36:54,600 Speaker 2: See you on the other side. It Could Happen here 617 00:36:54,640 --> 00:36:57,320 Speaker 2: as a production of cool Zone Media. For more podcasts 618 00:36:57,320 --> 00:36:59,960 Speaker 2: from cool Zone Media, visit our website cool Zone Media, 619 00:37:00,560 --> 00:37:03,200 Speaker 2: or check us out on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, 620 00:37:03,280 --> 00:37:06,280 Speaker 2: or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can find sources 621 00:37:06,280 --> 00:37:09,439 Speaker 2: for It Could Happen Here, updated monthly at Coolzonemedia dot 622 00:37:09,480 --> 00:37:10,759 Speaker 2: com slash sources. 623 00:37:10,840 --> 00:37:11,600 Speaker 3: Thanks for listening.