Iranian Teen Refugee Faces Cultural Challenges and Stigma After Moving to Israel

Shaily Gol, an 18-year-old who fled Iran for Israel five and a half years ago due to her mother's rare illness, shares her difficult adjustment to life in Israel. The family made the sudden decision to leave Iran within two weeks after doctors there said they could no longer provide adequate medical care for her mother. Shaily only learned about the move when she saw her father photographing passports, and she cried through the night out of fear and uncertainty, not hatred for Israel.

Arriving in Israel at age 13, Shaily struggled with cultural differences and language barriers. She describes Iranian society as focused on respect and polite speech, contrasting with what she perceives as a more assertive Israeli mentality. Initially attending a school in Holon, she had trouble fitting in until she switched schools and improved her Hebrew. Alongside these challenges, Shaily and her younger brother face daily verbal abuse, including being called "terrorists" and "Arabs," reflecting widespread misconceptions about Persian Jews.

Despite the hardships, Shaily has built a new life in Israel, completing high school and focusing on future studies and training. However, she deeply misses her family left behind in Iran, with whom contact has nearly ceased amid rising tensions between the countries. Her greatest hope is to one day return to say a proper goodbye to her loved ones. Still, she feels a sense of peace and belonging in Israel, describing it as the right place for her now.