Growing up deeply connected to my Palestinian roots, the American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine (AFRP) has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Initially, my involvement began through my family’s participation in our local chapter, where we attended events, read Hathihe Ramallah, and engaged meaningfully with the broader community. Having been founded in 1952, the federation has long focused on preserving Palestinian culture, supporting community-led programs, and educating the public about our heritage and geopolitical concerns. And today, it is considered the largest Palestinian organization in the U.S., being recognized by federal, state, and local offices. In all, my familial background, coupled with my experience at the intersections of policy, advocacy, and communications, has led me to be involved with the AFRP’s Congressional Outreach Committee.
Over this past summer, I began my internship, and right at the start, we hit the ground running. My main responsibilities consisted of congressional outreach and event coordination for our annual Day of Action, a summit where dedicated young adults from across the country convene to advocate for Palestinian human rights on Capitol Hill and build power within the Palestinian American community. Before the Day of Action, my work involved planning the week’s agenda, coordinating logistics, and conducting meeting training for our attendees. I also assisted the group through steps on how to get in contact with their representatives, what to expect in meetings, how to conduct themselves, and how to effectively communicate our key legislative asks. It was amazing to see my work materialize while surrounded by peers who were just as passionate and committed to ensuring our community’s concerns were heard in policymaking spaces. The discourse that took place in those rooms reinforced how important it was for Palestinian-American voices to show up – and to keep showing up!
In September, our team hosted Rev. Munther Issac, a prominent Palestinian Christian leader from Bethlehem, for meetings on Capitol Hill. I planned the full schedule of meetings and drafted briefing notes and talking points to ensure the day ran smoothly. These conversations focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing threats facing those in the West Bank and Christian communities, specifically. I was able to see real-time change, and as a result of our meetings, we encouraged a Representative to sign off on H.R. 3565, Block the Bombs.
Overall, this internship gave me the opportunity not only to see how policy is shaped, but how communities actively impact it. It has also enabled me to develop critical foundational skills in relationship building with congressional offices, outreach efforts, and community political education. I am deeply grateful to grow within an organization that has been part of my life since childhood, and I’m proud to help carry its mission forward in spaces where our voices are desperately needed.
January 09, 2026