Resilient Codes: Technology and Survival in #Gaza

Throughout my career, I consistently chose to pass up various opportunities that came my way. These included job offers from regional companies, invitations to participate in training programs at globally recognized firms, and even proposals to pursue my academic ambitions abroad or secure employment in Europe – opportunities that many of my peers eagerly accepted. For me, however, the prospect of leaving Palestine never held any allure. Instead, my attachment to my homeland deepened with each War and historical revelation, binding me ever more closely to its soil and struggles.

There's a curious coincidence in my birth year, 1987, which aligns with a significant historical event - the emergence of Hamas during the First Intifada, just two months after I was born. Growing up, my consciousness was shaped by the unfolding events in Gaza. I observed how our resistance compelled Sharon's withdrawal and how, year after year, our defiance against occupation and siege matured. In a way, the evolution of the resistance mirrored my own personal growth, fueling my aspiration to harness advanced technology as a means to bolster the Palestinian economy and challenge the constraints imposed upon us.

There was a profound sense of accomplishment and elation when I played a role in showcasing the exceptional talent of Palestinian developers to global tech giants. Our efforts bore fruit, first with Google and then with Facebook, highlighting the unparalleled skills of our technicians, especially those from Gaza. This wave of joy was amplified when my peers replicated this success with other industry leaders like Microsoft and Oracle.

A moment of immense national pride came when I successfully persuaded Facebook to establish the second Developer Circle in the Middle East, right here in Palestine. Initially, I harbored a concern that the first might have been set up in Tel Aviv, but to my relief, it was in Tunisia. However, our celebration was tempered by the harsh reality of travel constraints and prohibitive costs at the Egyptian border, which prevented our attendance at Facebook's conference. The company's team struggled to grasp the exorbitant fee required just to cross the Rafah Border. Undeterred, we pivoted to organize Gaza's largest parallel tech conference, drawing hundreds of participants. It became the most significant Facebook-affiliated event outside their main conference that year, a testament to our resilience and ingenuity.

The Palestinian experience is distinct and profound. In this land, success, and work transcend personal achievement; they embody an act of resistance, a defiance against the odds. This includes something as fundamental as the decision to remain within the borders of one's homeland. The turning point for me, the moment that profoundly shook my resolve to stay, came with a chilling incident. It was a day like any other, with no war to darken the skies, yet an Israeli airstrike struck terrifyingly close to where my daughter was enjoying a peaceful day at the beach with our family. That event scarred her deeply. During the chaos, her immobility, which she naively interpreted as bravery, was, in truth, a manifestation of sheer trauma.

Living in Palestine, one is constantly faced with complex choices. My expertise in delivering technical training for international entities has become widely recognized. However, I once declined a significant opportunity because it entailed training a group composed of both Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem, a scenario I found uncomfortable. Despite the prestige it offered, the principle stood firmer in my mind. Similarly, while I had the chance to visit the USAID office in Tel Aviv—a privilege denied to many of my contemporaries—my commitment to my values always guided my decisions. This ethos was evident when, as the head of technical management for a local company, I developed a team of skilled developers. However, when the opportunity arose to lead a project for an international firm based in Israel, I stood by my principles and chose not to participate.

My admiration for the technological strides made by India and the Israeli occupation wasn't just a passing sentiment; it was a poignant reflection of our enduring struggle. Observing their achievements in transforming technology into a source of global pride made me more aware of the challenges we face. Despite the abundant resources and support that the occupation enjoys, I held a firm belief that we, too, could make a significant contribution to ourselves and the world at large. However, the harsh reality soon dawned on me: the dream of building a large-scale company was vulnerable in the face of the occupation's power, which could obliterate years of hard work in an instant. This was not mere speculation; I had seen numerous initiatives reduced to rubble, their potential unfulfilled, casualties of the conflict even before the outbreak of the current war.

A pivotal shift in my approach came when I started distinguishing between the goals and the tactics to achieve them. Realizing the limitations within my local context, I began seeking alternative avenues. This led me to collaborate with regional companies, aiming to carve out a narrative where Palestinian developers are integral contributors to both regional and international projects. This journey was reminiscent of earlier endeavors, marked by a series of setbacks and obstacles, a common narrative for someone hailing from Gaza. The challenges were manifold: from the logistical hurdles of receiving direct salary payments to the subtle barriers to being included in key meetings for significant and sensitive projects. These experiences underscored the unique difficulties faced by Palestinians in professional settings.

My journey took a significant turn when I made the difficult choice to leave Gaza, a decision propelled by a collaboration with a company I was involved with. This move wasn't just a professional step; it was a strategic one with a larger vision. This initiative marked the beginning of several innovative projects that we embarked on together. Living in Turkey offered a stark contrast to the life I knew in Gaza, opening my eyes to different perspectives and possibilities. However, life’s unpredictability followed us; while residing on the 19th floor in Istanbul, we experienced two earthquakes. These moments were filled with irony rather than fear; we found ourselves contemplating the possibility of our lives ending in a natural catastrophe, a stark contrast to the threats we faced in Palestine.

My return to Gaza during Ramadan was meant to be a brief interlude, a time to immerse in the festive spirit with my family and celebrate two significant weddings. Yet, the unforeseen unfolded rapidly. The outbreak of the Sword of Jerusalem war in 2021, triggered by Palestinian resistance to an Israeli settler march that threatened the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, drastically altered my plans. What was supposed to be a short stay extended to two long years, a period that saw me losing my residency in Istanbul and my wife her job. But amidst these upheavals, life bestowed its blessings in unexpected forms: the arrival of my daughter Perla and the inception of One Studio. This venture, born in the throes of uncertainty, soon flourished, evolving into a narrative more enriching and profound than all my years before.

In the middle of the current genocide, One Studio, under the guidance of our Opportunities Manager, embarked on a vital mission. We initiated a crowdfunding campaign with a clear objective: to secure the livelihoods of our team by funding the salaries of numerous employees for several months. This initiative was crucial, as operations for most of our staff in Gaza were on the brink of cessation. In these trying times, we were fortunate not to lose any team members to the war. However, the war's toll was heavy on a personal level, with many losing relatives, homes, and essential belongings. Communication was another casualty, as we struggled to maintain contact with many team members for weeks due to the deliberate disruption of communication lines and internet services across Gaza. Buoyed by the success of our initial fundraising efforts, we extended our campaign in collaboration with One Nation, aiming to support other companies in the region as they too sought to rebuild in the war's wake.

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I understand that delving into this narrative may not be simple, especially given the relentless pace of your daily lives and the distressing updates that often emerge from Gaza. This recounting is more than a personal tale; it's an effort to chronicle a journey that, I hope, might resonate with or inspire someone, somewhere in the world. In the future, I look forward to sharing more about the genesis of One Studio, and exploring how it intertwines with the entrepreneurial spirit in Palestine. I aim to detail our objectives, the profound impact of the war on us, how we responded to these challenges, and the aspirations we harbor for the days ahead.

#SaveGaza #FreePalestine #GazaUnderAttack