Palestinian Reflections on “Palestine Way”

by Amal Abukwaik and Amatullah Shaw

Paterson, NJ is home to approximately 20,000 Palestinians, making it the city with the highest concentration of Palestinians in the United States. In May, Paterson, NJ honored its bustling and vibrant Palestinian community by renaming Main Street, “Palestine Way.” At the ceremony, Mayor Andre Sayegh of Paterson described the Palestinian community as “proud” and “productive” Americans," who “are making countless contributions to our communities every day in the United States of America."

While this country as a whole has a long way to go in terms of fostering better relationships with its Palestinian communities, we would be remiss if we didn’t allow space for the Palestinians on our very team to share their reflections on this show of solidarity. Here’s what TMN Ambassador, Amal Abukwaik, had to share:

What do you think the impact of Main Street being named Palestine Way will be?

Main Street has been known to many Arabs and Muslims in the tri-state area as one of the largest Palestinian American communities in the country. The street renaming is fitting and is a community-wide acknowledgment of the contributions Palestinian Americans have made in Paterson. More importantly, I think, the renaming to include “Palestine” shows Paterson’s support for the Palestinian cause and pushes it forward in the local political sphere. 

The most significant form of resistance Palestinian Americans can do while in the diaspora is to hold onto the homeland’s language, culture, customs, and identity, while the rest of the world attempts to erase the name and people off the map and out of history books. The name “Palestine Way” resists the Zionist agenda to ethnically cleanse the Palestinian people.  

What were your initial reactions as a Palestinian American?

As a Palestinian living in America, I often feel complicit in upholding the occupation because I am living and thriving in a country that is openly supportive of apartheid and ethnic cleansing. Our tax dollars also continue to fund the illegal state of Israel. So, for my local community to recognize not only the existence of Palestinians but to also appreciate their resilience in building a community gives me hope that the tide in America’s relationship with the occupiers can change.

How do you think this will affect the Palestinian diaspora here in NJ (if at all)?

I think the street renaming will impact the public’s perception of Palestinians and Arab immigrants more than it will impact Palestinians living in New Jersey. Many Palestinians and Arabs had already felt welcomed and more at ease on Main Street before the street was renamed. At the very most, I believe that with the street’s renaming, non-Arabs will be more familiar with the name “Palestine” and it may invite people to ask more questions and learn more about the people, culture, and occupation, pushing the cause forward. 

Of course, “Palestine Way” is just the start but it’s important to keep the support and activism alive. You can get involved with the Palestinian community here in New Jersey by connecting with the Palestinian American Community Center (PACC) or American Muslims for Palestine (AMP).