For Palestinian restaurateurs in the US, it’s not just about the food: ‘We have to prove we’re human’

Three restaurant owners share their experiences feeding people - and leveraging their positions to tell humanizing stories

As some of the most visible Palestinian establishments in American cultural life, Palestinian restaurants have found themselves thrust into the spotlight in a new way over the last nine months of Israel's bombardment of Gaza.

Some have rejoiced at finally being able to list themselves on Google as Palestinian, as opposed to the more vague Middle Eastern or Mediterranean, and found a new customer base in the form of people looking to demonstrate their solidarity. Others have found themselves suddenly flooded with one-star reviews designed to tank their online rankings, been robbed, or even received death threats for putting their Palestinian identities on display.