Arrived in France in 2019 for a master of French linguistics, Waleed lived his last weeks between the anxiety linked to the fate of his relatives and that due to his administrative ordeal. He received an OQTF from the French government. Interview.

Waleed Aboudipaa is a Palestinian from Gaza who has worked as a French teacher for ten years. There he founded the first Palestinian French-speaking school for children aged 3 to 9, as well as a humanitarian association, Tabassam. To perfect his knowledge, he applied and was admitted to the Lille Linguistics master in 2019. The curriculum is particularly sharp and the early days are difficult, but Waleed perseveres.

Today, while it only has to support its memory, it has received an OQTF ( obligation to leave French territory ). The prefecture wants him to return to Gaza, currently under bomb fire. An event that adds to the anxiety it has for loved ones still in Gaza. Interview. 

First, how is your family in Gaza ?

They’re alive, that’s all. I cannot say that they are fine under these circumstances, but they are alive today. They lack food, especially flour. I try to send them to them. There are also the few traders who stay and whom I know to whom I ask to give credit for them … We manage as best we can.

Do you still manage to communicate with them ?

This is extremely complicated given that they have difficulties with the internet, the network and the electricity. I panic for days before I can get an SMS or a call from a family member. All because Israel is trying to isolate Palestine from the rest of the world.

Members of my association in Gaza, mainly members of my family, were able to distribute packages to families in need on the spot, but it is very dangerous to move, they target everyone. In these circumstances, it is very difficult to help. They show great courage and risk their lives daily.

For my part, I am trying to be a link between the donors here and the people on the ground. I do my best to help my people.

When did you receive your OQTF ?

I received it recently. Immigration claims that I am not well integrated, since I have no family or wife here … Even though I have friends, my studies, my work, and my sports and associative activities.

L’other advanced motif would be my lack of’assiduity in college. I am present at all classes. J’ai certainly had some difficulties of’adaptation when arriving. J’ai had to work in addition to my studies to survive and try to’send some’argent to my family. It’ is complicated also for them who have been subject to the blockade for years.

What recourse did you choose to’borrow ?

J’ai already made contact with a lawyer. She m’a said that’it was first necessary to gather a maximum of letters from my friends and relatives showing my integration and my assiduity.

My classmates from college wrote letters, my friends from football, even my coach. It’is hard and a bit humiliating to’have to ask people to WRITE letters that say you are someone good’. I know that I am a GOOD’un and all these people know it too. I shouldn’t have to do that.

L’avocate m’a also said to ask for work certificates, and to’ consider a request for’asile, which is why I contacted an association on Lille to help me’ to take this path.

What do you think of France’s reaction to the conflict ?

Usually, I’ do not like to talk about politics, but J’admets that I am extremely disappointed with the reaction of France, the whole world itself.

The country of Human Rights’ must plead for the’ to stop this genocide and put pressure on Israel for an immediate ceasefire and at least the passage of’a consequent humanitarian aid.

In previous conflicts with Israel, I’ lost three members of my family, my father, my brother and my nephew, whose bodies I’ had to pick up in pieces. My other brother spent twelve and a half years in Israeli prisons.

All I ask is that’ is defended, protected, as the’ be Ukrainians, for example. One does not deserve to’ be treated as “human animals”, as L’a says the Israeli defense minister.

What message would you like to get across today ?

All I’ would like to say, it’is that I am disappointed and disgusted. I struggled all my life to spread the French language and culture in Palestine. J’ was a French teacher ten years. J’ai opened the first French-speaking school in Gaza, and today’, they will send me to be killed.

I study here, I work here, I pay my taxes like everyone else. J’hai qu’s s’en report. I just want’on to be able to live in peace and security.

Interviewed by Ambre Couvin