In a series of videos, Dor Guez offers perspectives on ethnic identity, citizenship, and prejudice from three generations of a Christian Arab family. Originally from the multiethnic, multifaith city of Lod—or al-Lydd as the municipality is known among Palestinians—the Monayer family members inclu... Read more
In a series of videos, Dor Guez offers perspectives on ethnic identity, citizenship, and prejudice from three generations of a Christian Arab family. Originally from the multiethnic, multifaith city of Lod—or al-Lydd as the municipality is known among Palestinians—the Monayer family members include Jacob, the family patriarch who recounts the expulsion of al-Lydd’s citizens after the 1948 war; his son Sami, who describes growing up among Jews as an Israeli citizen while simultaneously claiming a Palestinian identity; and Jacob’s granddaughter Samira who recounts her experience of prejudice as she is mistaken for being Jewish. Counted among 125,000 Christian Arabs in Israel, the Monayers consider themselves a minority within a minority with respect to the Muslim population. To further complicate matters, a branch of Guez’s family is Jewish.
When asked to define his identity, Guez responded in an online interview for Artis, “I have been dealing with this for years, and the truth is that I’m not sure I’m looking for an answer. It depends on the place, time, and context. What does it mean to label oneself? My ID says I’m Jewish. Is this my main reference? . . . I have the right to choose and the right to decide, as well as the right to re-examine what those definitions say about me.”
