"I grew up in a war zone, full of insecurity and injustice. I was at risk of being attacked, singled out, or arrested. Fear came from everywhere: from my parents, from society, from the world, she recalls now. What did we do to deserve this? she constantly asked herself. Honey Thaljieh (Bethlehem, 41) pretended to be a normal girl in a context that wasn't, and she found refuge in the ball. It was a tool to escape social pressure and trauma, to free myself."
"Soccer gave me community, a sense of belonging, dignity on the field, a voice, and the power to fight for justice, she reflects. That girl who ran through alleys and between walls would end up tearing down her own. She co-founded the Palestinian women's national soccer team, of which she was the first captain, and today works at FIFA in public relations, promoting social projects aimed at transforming lives through sport."
"One day, on her way to an exam, the streets were blocked by military checkpoints. She stopped an ambulance and hid inside. She wasn't alone: there were other students in the same situation. When they arrived for the exam, after such a stressful experience, many of them burst into tears. Their teacher recited a quote from Yasser Arafat: We Palestinians are like mountains; we cannot be moved by the wind. Honey refused to let herself be swept away."
Honey Thaljieh fell in love with soccer at seven while watching boys play in Bethlehem's old town. She grew up amid war, insecurity, checkpoints, and constant fear during the Second Intifada. Soccer provided refuge from social pressure and trauma, a sense of belonging, dignity, and a voice. She co-founded the Palestinian women's national team and served as its first captain. She later joined FIFA in public relations to promote social projects using sport to transform lives. Her early experiences included hiding in an ambulance to reach an exam and drawing strength from hope and resilience despite losing hope at times.
Read at english.elpais.com
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