As a Palestinian American shaped by the unwavering resilience of my people, I believe it is time for Washington to listen to the voices of both Palestinian and American youths. We are calling not just for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, but for a just and lasting solution that will end the ongoing loss of Palestinian lives and the heartbreak of families torn apart.
I was born in Jordan, but I grew up absorbing the heritage and the culture of Palestine. My family moved to the United States when I was 11 years old. My parents came here seeking a better future, educational opportunities and a better health system. My Palestinian heritage is a deep part of who I am. It has shaped how I see justice, resistance and the importance of human dignity.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the toll continues to rise. This is not just a political conflict; it is a humanitarian crisis. Basic human rights are not a privilege; they are a necessity for a fair and secure existence.
A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that younger Americans are increasingly critical of Israel’s actions. A more recent Pew poll, published in April 2025, found that younger Americans are less likely to view the Israel-Hamas war as important to U.S. national interests. They are also more likely than older adults to say the war has worsened their opinion of Israel. This demonstrates a clear generational divide in how the conflict is viewed.
While youth-led protests around Gaza were visible last year, they were less prominent this spring due to fears of crackdowns by university officials and concerns about possible deportation under the Trump administration. Still, many young Americans are trying to find ways to speak out, even though more than half of Americans 65 and older continue to support U.S. military aid to Israel, according to the 2024 Pew poll.
This generational divide gives me hope. As someone who has closely followed these developments, I believe our future holds the possibility of real change. The 2024 Pew poll says that six in 10 U.S. adults under 30 view the Palestinian people favorably, while only 46% view the Israeli people favorably. This marks a sharp decline in favorable views toward Israelis among young adults since 2019, while views of Palestinians have remained steady, says Pew.
Every generation has a defining moment. I believe this could be ours. The world has seen change when people, especially the young, have stood up against injustice and challenged the status quo. We cannot afford to remain silent as innocent lives are lost and entire communities are oppressed. Our generation must speak up for those whose voices have been silenced for too long.
Ebaa Abuhussein is a junior majoring in communication at Central Connecticut State University.