About Samantha Lloyd

I’m a Jew by choice. My mother is from South Africa and my father is a New Zealander. I grew up in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Due to my upbringing in different countries I tend to view myself as a citizen of the world and even now I love to travel and have new experiences. My parents taught me to be curious about other countries and cultures as the world is so diverse with so much to learn and develop new understandings. One of the most impressionable memories I have growing up happened in South Africa when I was 12 years old. My grandmother’s maid bought her daughter to work with her one day, and we noticed that she had a big gash on her leg. It turned out that she had had a brick thrown at her in the township where she lived. My mother took her to our doctor but I never forgot how this girl who was close in age to me was treated at the medical centre. Instead of going into the doctor’s office she was taken into the kitchen and sat up by the sink for the doctor to tend to her wound. To my 12 year old mind, I thought this was incredibly unjust. I have often wondered what became of her. At university I majored in International Relations and did a few political science courses. I was particularly interested in the Middle East, South Africa and Afghanistan and often spent my free time reading about the politics and history in  these areas as well as the impact international powers such as the USA, UK and Russia have in their domestic affairs. I was particularly interested in Israel/Palestine and have become increasingly concerned over the years by the continuing violent oppression of the Palestinians who are not viewed as equals with equal rights. I have found it challenging to see all the injustice that is occurring in the Occupied Territories whilst the world leaders and the international institutions  seemingly do nothing as the situation spirals and becomes even more violent for both Palestinians and Israelis. I believe in Justice and Tikkun Olam (healing the world). Palestinians and Israelis need peace through talking and shared understandings.