There have been emotional reunions here in Australia after dozens of Palestinians fleeing the fighting arrived at Sydney airport where they were were welcomed by overjoyed relatives.
00:00 Overpowered by emotion, Mahat Arazi breaches the arrivals line at Sydney airport.
00:07 Her 86-year-old mother, two sisters and six-year-old nephew have been trapped in the Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza for over 40 days.
00:17 We're so exhausted. I don't know if I'm going to be okay or not.
00:21 Nearly 20 were killed in the church where the family took refuge.
00:25 Genocide. This is genocide. They're repeating 1948 Nakba. It's forced expulsion.
00:33 I was brave. I plugged my ear so I don't hear the sounds of bombs.
00:38 Their journey to Australia was long and dangerous as they first had to escape north Gaza.
00:44 I had to put my wheelchaired mother on a carriage pulled by a donkey with our bags. I hugged them all with bullets flying over our heads.
00:52 Their families are overjoyed they've made it to Australia.
00:56 It's a dream. Like we were living in a nightmare and now we just wake up on this nightmare.
01:02 I had counted them dead. Thank God. Thank God.
01:07 Thank you, Australia.
01:09 Emotional family reunions like this one will be happening across Australian airports as hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza start arriving over the coming few weeks.
01:18 Many of them are getting here with little more than the clothes on their back.
01:22 The new visas granted to 860 Palestinians are valid for up to 12 months but they can't work and have no guaranteed pathway to a longer term settlement.
01:32 But the community is grateful and hoping more of their loved ones can get out.
01:37 Altogether 12 people. That's my family. I hope all of them come here and everyone gets their families here safely.
01:46 I thank Australia, our kind mother.
01:48 A bittersweet moment. Happiness for those who are now safe. Fear for those still left behind.
Be the first to comment