A Gazan man named Hassan told me.
In the past his grandfather used to live in the city of Jaffa.
His grandfather was a farmer who had a large orange orchard.
The harvest every year was very plentiful to be exported.

Hassan said Jaffa oranges taste sweet and juicy.
The size is large , the skin is thick and only have a few seeds.
In the past so many merchant ships carried crates of Jaffa oranges at the port.
Transported across the Mediterranean Sea for export to many countries.
Palestinians used to feel proud that Jaffa oranges became Palestine's mainstay trade commodity.

But that was only the glory of the past.
After the Nakba 1948 the city of Jaffa was conquered by the Zionists.
Hassan's grandfather and all the residents of Jaffa were expelled.
Leaving behind their homes , orange orchards , whatever buildings they owned.

After decades have passed oranges from Jaffa are still an export commodity.
But Jaffa oranges have become an Israeli trade commodity and no longer belong to Palestine.
Palestine has lost oranges from Jaffa that were once proud of in the past.

Hassan often imagines about Jaffa oranges.
If one day Palestine is truly liberated Hassan has the right to return.
He will return to the house and orange orchard that belonged to his deceased grandfather.
Hassan will continue his grandfather's work of planting and managing orange gardens.
Becoming an orange farmer like his grandfather is his biggest dream.

Hassan also promised me that every harvest season I would be sent a box of Jaffa oranges.
Of course I would be happy if one day I received a shipment of oranges from Jaffa.
I think I'll be addicted once I taste what Jaffa oranges taste like.


January 2025


By Alvian Eleven