Journey to liberation: Israeli-Palestinian women living in Tel Aviv-Jaffa

The study examines how young Palestinian women in Israel, who decide to settle in the “liberal” “world city” of Tel Aviv-Jaffa upon college graduation, cope with the anticipated response of their family and community of origin. Applying a qualitative methodology, we interviewed 12 such women, supplemented by analysis of two TV series about young, single, educated Israeli-Palestinians living away from home. Thematic analysis of the data sheds light on how these women negotiate their move to Tel Aviv-Jaffa to study and their decision to stay there after graduation, focusing on the threat posed by Tel Aviv, as well as the benefits and challenges of life there. This study offers innovative insights: how young women from an excluded minority group are able to pave their way to liberty using urban space; and how the women use the tools of patriarchal society to conduct sophisticated negotiations with it.