On October 7, Palestinian terror group Hamas entered an Israeli music festival killing around 1,200 people, injuring many more and taking hostages. This was a Hamas response to years of Israel moving into and occupying Palestinian land. Since then the two countries have been in the midst of a gruesome war. The conflict is occurring hundreds of thousands of miles away from Westlake, but for many, the issue is much closer to home.

In the state of Ohio, Westlake places fifth in cities with the largest Arab population. Three additional Cleveland suburbs also land in the top ten. Much of Westlake’s Arab population is ethnically Palestinian and the conflict is personal.

Jenna Bseiso, 17 year-old Junior at Westlake High School, has family in Palestine “The Bseiso name actually originates in Gaza”, says Bseiso. Her mother was born in Palestine but her family fled to Jordan when she was young. Her father was born in Jordan after his family fled. She’s grown up visiting Jordan every summer, where she can see Palestine from certain areas. 

Bseiso still has family in Palestine but she’s never met them because they’re not allowed out and she’s not allowed in. But she still thinks about them constantly. “My mom’s biggest fear is them bombing her hometown”, says Bseiso. Her family also fears Palestine being wiped out completely. 

The ongoing conflict has already reaped its effects on Bseiso’s family. Her great-grandfather had his house raided and was kicked out when Israel first began occupying Palestine over 70 years ago. Bseiso also says, “I have a relative that was shot in Palestine by an Israeli and still has a bullet lodged in his neck”. With the bullet in a compromising position, one wrong move and he could die.

Bseiso can’t go into Palestine and save her family, but she is conscious of her choices at home that could make an impact overseas. She has chosen to boycott companies that support Israel saying, “I haven’t had Starbucks in like two months, so I’m really proud of myself for that”, Bseiso used to visit the coffee shop almost every day. Starbucks has denied sending money to Israel but that hasn’t stopped a nationwide boycott from occurring. 

The City of Westlake has been host to multiple Pro-Palestine protests in the past few years. Students at Westlake High School have promoted “Palestine Days” by encouraging students to wear red, green, white and black and vocalize their support of the country. The issue is personal to many people in Westlake and they’ll continue to fight until their voices are heard.