Owner of the Abi Falafel snack bar / Palestinian

Home is a place of prosperity, health, safety, belonging, beauty etc., in short a place that gives you satisfaction.

I am often asked where my home is. To tell the truth, after 40 years of living in Slovenia I still cannot answer this question.  

Am I a Palestinian or a Slovenian? Sometimes I feel like a Palestinian. But when I visit my Palestine, I soon start yearning for my home in Slovenia.  Although I was not born here, I would, if I could choose my place of birth, choose Slovenia.  It is an amazing country, it overwhelms you and grows on you, you become obsessed with something you desire – you love.  I probably feel this way because of the situation in Palestine. This poor piece of land where people have lived for generations in fear, suffering, poverty and under occupation. 

At other times I feel as if I am a Slovenian. I have almost everything here, my family, my love, safety, work, people who love me and are glad I live among them. I am at home here.

For nothing in the world would I replace my Palestine for another country. And for nothing in the world would I replace Slovenia for another country.