Joe Jayyab

Country: Palestine

Born Behind Barriers

My name is Joe Jayyab. I was born in Gaza, and I have lived here ever since.
From childhood, I was told that dreams in this city do not come true.
I grew up believing that I lived inside a vast prison, unable to leave — that it was impossible even to visit the other side of my own country. Gaza was besieged, and so were our dreams.

Yes, I came to understand this painful reality early on.
But glory be to the One who inspired my soul to rise above it — to dream, to act, to carry a message and a purpose.

Breaking the Barrier

After years of planning, hard work, and volunteering with international organizations, I finally received a permit to enter the occupied territories.
My dream began to come true.

Yes, Mother — yes, World — I broke through the barrier that had encircled Gaza for so long. I left, and I saw the land of my ancestors.

That journey was more than travel — it was a resurrection of spirit.
I began creating content, capturing the beauty, history, food, and nature of Palestine. Through my videos, I tried to convey the feeling of a Gazan who had been literally deprived of seeing his own homeland.

A Journey Etched in Memory

My last trip was on August 22, 2023, and I swear I will never forget the memories I gathered along the way:

• I will never forget Ramallah and the kindness of its people.

• I will never forget Bethlehem and the holiness of its places.

• I will never forget Hebron and the generosity of its hearts.

• I will never forget Jerusalem, and the breathtaking sight of the Dome of the Rock.

• I will never forget Nablus, its sweet kunafa, and its Old City.

• I will not forget Jaffa, radiant with growth and sea breeze.

• I will never forget Haifa and the magic of its beauty.

• I will never forget Akka, and jumping from its ancient walls.

• I did not forget Ras an-Nakura, where land meets the endless blue.

• I will never forget the Golan Heights, its mountains and stillness.

• I do not forget Al-Naqab, vast and silent like a world of sand.

• And I will never forget my beloved Gaza, who has only God for help.

The Weight of a Homeland

I have lived all the sufferings of a Palestinian:
the difficulty of movement, the checkpoints, the constant tension of war, the psychological and emotional exhaustion of occupation.

And beyond that — the suffering of my family, my neighbors, and my city, Gaza, enduring yet another wave of aggression.

I wished to live as others do — in calmness and safety.
But I was forced to live in pain.

Still, I praise God — who granted me the grace to visit my homeland, to pray in Al-Aqsa, and to touch the soil of Palestine before leaving this world.

The People and the Promise

I have seen nothing but kindness from my people — in the ’48 lands, in the West Bank, and in Jerusalem.
They welcomed me as though I had descended from heaven. Beyond generous. Saying “thank you” will never be enough.

If God prolongs my life, I promise — you will see the details of this journey.
You will see tears that lasted for days.

Our country is paradise.
Its smell is different.
Its food is different.
Its air is different.
Life itself is different.

Yes, I am Joe — the youngest traveler in Palestine.
From a traveler wandering the country with a suitcase,
to a traveler searching for safety in Gaza.

Take care of the country.
Keep showing its beauty.
Because our country is the most beautiful country.

Is it possible that we will meet again?