Over the last two years, Omar has been displaced over ten times, living in tents and homes without roofs while enduring the losses of his best friend, home, and only source of income. After graduating from high school, his plans for higher education were completely derailed by the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Yet throughout this tribulation, Omar has fought tirelessly to keep his dream alive. He risked his life to apply to Dartmouth, having to find his way to the Egyptian-Palestinian border to write his application with an Egyptian eSIM mobile network.

On December 13th, alongside the rest of us, Omar’s dedication to his dream was rewarded when he was accepted to Dartmouth’s Class of 2029. Omar has quickly become a valued member of our class, connecting with his fellow classmates through social media and online group chats.

Yet,as things stand, Omar may be prevented from joining us in the fall. The closure of the Rafah crossing—the sole border between Gaza and Egypt—, as well as the intensification of Israel’s total blockade of the Gaza Strip and a distinct lack of international coordination have led Omar to be effectively trapped in Gaza, with no clear path nor timeline to leave the Strip. As our community grows closer, we feel that we cannot remain on the sidelines.

As fellow ‘29s, we write with a call to action: the Dartmouth community must do everything in its power to help Omar get to campus as soon as possible. Dartmouth first and foremost prides itself on fostering a tight-knit, supportive community, elevating inclusivity, compassion, and collective action above all. We must collaborate to apply these principles to Omar’s case---his journey embodies the precise spirit of resilience and ambition that Dartmouth strives to nurture; thus, working to guarantee Omar’s success is not just a reflection of his future, but of our identity as an institution and community. 

We cannot overstate the urgency of Omar’s situation. The escalation of the conflict in Gaza puts Omar’s life at immediate risk, and every delay in securing his departure from the Strip is a gamble with his safety and future. By acting now, we can not only ensure Omar’s safety but also enable him to realize his dream of studying at Dartmouth and making a lasting difference in the world.

Omar’s story is a rare and powerful opportunity to bridge divides within and beyond our campus. As we help him write a new path forward, we reaffirm our commitment to the values that unite our community: empathy, action, and the belief that we are stronger together. We honor the countless others who have the same dreams and yet lack the support to achieve them. Dartmouth’s community is unique in its ability to bring together learners from all over the world– many of whom holding vastly different life experiences–and shape them into one campus, where students care about each other and work to support each other through hard times. Omar’s case must not now be an exception.

We urge everyone—students, faculty, alumni, and administrators alike—to seize their power and take action. Any and every action brings Omar closer to Hanover and the rest of our future. Let us rise to the occasion and prove that Dartmouth’s values are more than words—rather, that they are a call to action, and a lasting promise to uplift each other in the face of any challenge.

- Lila Li '29, Trace Ribble '29, Rima Alsheikh '29, Dartmouth Palestinian Solidarity Coalition