Thousands celebrate 46th annual Palestine Cultural Day in Redwood City during fragile ceasefire overseas

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (KGO) — Thousands came out to celebrate the 46th annual Palestine Cultural Day in Redwood City.

“The main thing I want them to experience is what Palestinians are known for: the hospitality,” said Yazan Elayyan, who lives in San Jose. “You go to any booth, they will greet you with a smile.”

Elayyan came out with his non-Palestinian friends so he could share with them a bit of Palestinian culture. Booths displayed tatreez, traditional Palestinian embroidery, and handicrafts, as well as Palestinian food, fashion and music.

Draped in an outfit made of traditional Palestinian keffiyehs, or scarves, internationally acclaimed Palestinian artist Dana Salah was one of the headliners and drew large crowds who sang along in Arabic to her hits.

It was a full day devoted to celebrating Palestinian heritage. But with a fragile ceasefire holding, many Palestinian Americans are holding out for lasting peace and a fully sovereign Palestinian state.

MORE: ‘This is not Gaza’: Palestinians return to war-torn neighborhoods amid ceasefire

“Having saying I was Palestinian a year ago felt like a taboo. But now, I say, ‘I’m Palestinian’ and everybody’s like, ‘Yes!'” said Joulyana Ibrahim, a Milpitas resident.

Ibrahim was born and raised in the West Bank. She immigrated in 2007. She and her friends say that under the backdrop of war, the day wasn’t about politics or protests. They say it is about Palestinian resilience.

“The biggest highlight, honestly, is seeing the little kids running around in keffiyehs and just being present, growing up knowing this is who we are, and this is how we celebrate. And so, that has been very special this year,” said Hayat Barakat, who lives in San Francisco.

Elayyan says the crowds at Palestine Day have grown over the past two years as solidarity with the Palestinian cause grows.

“You see way more people out now than before because of everything going on. You can really see the support with all the different races and ethnicities out here today. And it’s mainly support and solidarity with us,” Elayyan said.

MORE: Humanitarian workers detail challenges of getting aid into Gaza despite ceasefire

Nasser Tarazi and his family drove all the way from Orange County to participate in Palestine Day.

“It is amazing. It is so beautiful. It reminds you of your background, your hometown. I am from Gaza. It feels really good to be here,” Tarazi said.

With all that his happening in Gaza, the family says this year it is even more important to come and celebrate Palestinian culture — with the thousands in attendance — and stand in solidarity with their community.

“It is spreading awareness for what is going on back home in Palestine. Again, it is genocide. Thousands and thousands of people have been killed. Again, there is nothing more than community. Community is the most important thing,” said Sammer Tarazi. “We are all here for one cause. We support a free Palestine.”