A few months ago, I received an invitation to attend a film festival in Israel. I contacted the Lebanese consulate in Los Angeles and was advised not to go. I was told that if I went, I would not be able to enter Lebanon again. Lebanon and Israel are still at war, and it is illegal for Lebanese nationals to have any contact with Israelis. "What if I say I want to go to Palestine?" I asked. "There is no Palestine yet, so stay away from it," I was told, and I did.
Growing up in Lebanon meant a strong awareness...
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