Al-Qalam 
By Neelam Rahim
For many across the world, Gaza is often known only through news reports of conflict and devastation. But for Palestinian artist and educator Israa Selmi, Gaza is first and foremost home – a place rich in culture, faith, and resilience.
Now living in South Africa, Selmi carries the stories, traditions and spirit of her homeland into the work she does every day, ensuring that Palestinian culture continues to be shared and preserved far beyond its borders.
Born and raised in Gaza, Selmi’s childhood unfolded against the backdrop of repeated conflict. She lived through multiple wars and countless military aggressions that have shaped the lives of generations of Palestinians. One of the most defining moments of her early life was the loss of her father, who was martyred during the ongoing struggle faced by the Palestinian people.
In the face of unimaginable hardship, Selmi says it was her mother who became the pillar of strength for the family, raising her children under extremely difficult conditions while instilling in them values of patience, faith and perseverance.
Those lessons have remained central to Selmi’s journey.
While she initially pursued studies in Medical Laboratory Sciences in Gaza, her passion for education and cultural expression continued to grow. Today, she is in her third year studying education, working towards her dream of becoming a teacher who inspires students to believe in themselves and in the power of knowledge.
Her commitment to education extends beyond the classroom. Through her online initiative, Arabic with Israa, Selmi teaches Arabic to students around the world, sharing not only the language but also the cultural richness that it carries.
For Selmi, language is more than a means of communication – it is a living connection to identity, history and belonging.
Her journey eventually brought her to South Africa, a move she describes as both daunting and deeply meaningful. Leaving Gaza and starting a new life thousands of kilometres away from family and familiarity was not easy. Yet within South Africa, she found a community that stood in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
That support has played an important role in shaping the work she continues to do today.
Living far from home has strengthened Selmi’s commitment to preserving and sharing Palestinian culture. In diaspora, she told Al-Qalam, the importance of holding on to one’s roots becomes even more profound.
This commitment led to the creation of ZaytoonZA, a cultural initiative Selmi co-founded with her close friend, Manar Shanqiti. What began as a small effort to support Selmi’s family in Gaza during difficult circumstances gradually evolved into a growing platform that connects South Africans with authentic Palestinian cultural products.
The initiative also maintains a direct link to Gaza through Selmi’s sister, Iman, who assists with preparing and promoting items from there. In this way, ZaytoonZA serves not only as a small business but also as a bridge between Gaza and South Africa.
Today, the online store offers more than 200 Palestinian products, including traditional embroidered items, scarves, bags, accessories and other pieces inspired by Palestinian heritage.
Through art, craftsmanship and cultural storytelling, Selmi believes these traditions can continue to flourish even far from their place of origin.
Art, she told Al-Qalam, is a universal language capable of communicating the stories of a people across cultures and borders. Each embroidered design, each pattern and each handmade piece reflects a narrative of heritage, resilience and pride.
Despite living far from Gaza, Selmi remains deeply connected to her homeland. Through constant communication with her family and through initiatives that provide support to them, she continues to play an active role in their lives.
She hopes that people in South Africa and around the world come to understand that Gaza is more than the images of destruction often seen on television screens. It is a place where families raise children, where communities celebrate culture and where people continue to dream of a better future.
Through her work as an educator, artist and cultural advocate, Selmi is determined to keep those stories alive.
In doing so, she reminds us that even in the most difficult circumstances, hope can take root – much like the enduring olive tree that has long symbolised the strength of the Palestinian people.
