A Colombian-Palestinian family has arrived in Barranquilla in search of peace after facing the harshness of the war in Gaza. One of the members of the family already held Colombian nationality. Accompanied by some members of the Palestinian community in the capital of Atlántico, they want to start a new life in peace and tranquility.
This Colombian-Palestinian family journeyed for five days after making the decision to leave Gaza to travel to Barranquilla, escaping from the war and starting a new life. The Colombian nationality of one of its members was the support for them to travel. However, with tears in her eyes, Samaher Ali Zaiyd Almassri makes a plea:
“Life (there) is difficult, it’s impossible; no one wants to leave their country. I love my country; we want to live in peace. We ask everyone, the Arab countries, to help the Palestinian people claim their rights as free human beings,” pleads Samaher Ali Zaiyd Almassri, a Palestinian with Colombian nationality.
Starting a new life in Barranquilla
Basel Zaid Al Sahli was born in Barranquilla but raised in Gaza from a very young age. It’s been over 40 years since Basel visited Barranquilla, his homeland, which today opens its doors to his family to leave behind the horrors of war. President Petro of Colombia issued Samaher Ali Zaiyd Almassri Colombian nationality via presidential decree. The couple’s three children already held Colombian nationality from birth.
“We came here to live in peace and safety because there wasn’t any in Gaza. There were many dead children on the streets; many people are still dead under the rubble. Gaza was destroyed, and people have died,” says Basel Zaid Al Sahli, a Colombian-Palestinian national.
With nothing, with fear, with sadness, this family left Palestine and says they have no chance of returning to the Middle East. In Barranquilla, they seek new opportunities and, above all, peace in their new home.
“We lived there in fear, without food, without electricity. Constant bombings; it wasn’t a life, it was impossible. Here I feel safe; here I am not afraid like I was in Gaza,” recounted Ali Zaid Almassri, one of the children.
The family had a farm in Gaza and, after leaving everything behind, they hope to learn Spanish soon and start a new life.