I grew up to be a dreamer, and my ability to dream shaped how I saw the world. I realized early on that my hope for Palestine wasn’t about the land we possess, but the rights we enjoy. Land is only meaningful when it protects and nurtures those rights.
Growing up, I saw how violence carried out against Israelis often echoed back into our own communities. The same individuals who committed these acts brought fear, intimidation, and oppression into our neighborhoods. The cycle of violence didn’t stop at borders; it shaped our streets and our lives. But I’ve always imagined a different Palestine: one that upholds my rights and gives our children a peaceful, prosperous future. That future depends on builders who are both moral and effective.
The Palestine I envision is just, prosperous, and at peace with its neighbors, built by people who take responsibility. Dignity doesn’t come from showcasing suffering or provoking violence. That only exploits our pain, and stalls our progress. Liberation demands agency: building systems that serve our people, confronting corruption, and choosing moral clarity and Institutional development over rhetoric. I support Realign For Palestine because it calls us to stop waiting for others and take ownership of our future with courage, integrity, and the relentless work that real change demands.
Ghassan is a Palestinian mechanical engineer, entrepreneur, and environmentalist working at the intersection of climate justice, innovation, and social impact. He founded Zaytounic, a Palestinian-Israeli climate tech social enterprise helping farmers turn olive mill waste into irrigation water and biodegradable plastic — transforming pollution into opportunity. His academic journey spans Birzeit University, Bennington College, and the University of Oxford, where he completed programs focused on sustainability and leadership. Ghassan led the winning team of the Google for Startups competition in 2023 and has been active in peacebuilding through the Arava Institute and Tech2Peace. He is committed to building a thriving Palestinian-Israeli ecosystem, advancing environmental education, and driving innovation across Palestine.