Nakba #11 - Ghalia Thahir Al-Harbishi

- When were you born? 'How can I remember when my mother gave birth to me? I am 95 years old. As a child, I had a carefree life. We used to collect wood so that my mother could light a fire and bake bread. I helped at home too, preparing food.' - What did your father work with? 'He was a farmer.' - Did you go to school? 'No, we laughed at those who went to school. I ought to kill you.' (Starts laughing) - Because I am Jewish? 'No, no reason. I just wanted to make you laugh so we could have a fun time together. You do not need to be afraid. You can stay here tonight if you want. But I still want to kill you.' - When did you get married? 'I was 13 years old. He was 45.' - Wasn't he a little old? 'It does not matter. My family decided and I had to obey. I cried and cried, but in vain. They have sinned because of what they did to me. My husband died 55 years ago. I had no children. Now I sit here alone.' - Was he kind to you? 'Yes, very. I wish I could have given him a child, so that he could have lived on.' - Did any Jews live in your village? 'No, but they lived in some villages nearby. We lived side by side. They were good people. We used to play football together.' - When did that change? 'They bombed and shot at us. We were forced to move.' - How long did this go on for? 'For three, four days.' - Were any killed? 'Yes, many, many, many.' - How were you affected? 'Be quiet! Why are you asking?' - Is it hard to talk about these events 'Yes. Until the day I die I will remember this.' - How did the flight happen? "We went on foot to al-Burayj. We stayed there for two months. We settled in Ajanjul. We stayed there for one month. Then we left for Bayt Nuba. We stayed there for three months, and after that ‘Aqbat Jabir by the Dead Sea. We lived in tents. We were not allowed to build houses at first, but later we were. After Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, they said there was no place for us other than in Jordan. So we continued on foot over the mountains and came to Jordan, to the Baqa‘a refugee camp." - What has been the hardest part of your life? "Everything."