I cannot mention my Palestinian-American grandchildren by name in this article. The fear of a backlash against Palestinians in the United States has made that impossible. In 2026, there is a genuine fear for my family, even though they are now American citizens.
My wife and I are the proud adopted grandparents of three children from Gaza. The eldest is a kind and mathematically gifted teenager. When we were in St. Petersburg last month, another kid wanted to play with his boogie board. Without being asked, he gave it to him.
When our family first arrived, the fire alarm in our hotel triggered a state of panic. They cried. It reminded them of Gaza. In occupied Palestine, life is constant fear. These children will grow up without that terror. They will go to school without wondering if it will be bombed…