More than 50 countries were represented at Kansas City's Ethnic Enrichment Festival, including first-time participation from Palestinians alongside an Israeli booth.

Kansas City

The Ethnic Enrichment Festival in Kansas City featured over 50 countries, with both Palestinian and Israeli communities sharing their cultural heritage. This year marked the first time Palestine was officially represented, with participants offering traditional food, body art, and stories from their communities.

Organisers and attendees from both groups expressed that the event was focused on cultural representation rather than politics, aiming to foster understanding and harmony. Participants highlighted the importance of sharing their stories and traditions, with many expressing hope that such events can promote peace and mutual respect.

Palestinians, Israelis share cultural heritage at Kansas City festival

Today we told you about the Ethnic Enrichment Festival taking place in Sewell Park and that Palestine was represented there for the first time. People would know more about our cultures, our peace, our people over here, our wonderful food as well, so yeah, it's really good. It's really heartwarming to see the support that we are getting this weekend. And tonight KSHB 41 news reporter Ryan Gamboa is amplifying voices of the people with ties to the geopolitical conflict with Palestine and Israel. There's over 50 countries represented at the Ethnic Enrichment Festival. I'm Ryan Gamboa in Kansas City and I'm amplifying the voices of Palestine and Israel who have shared with me that people from all walks of life have only shared positivity about their cultural representation this weekend. I think it's very important for Kansas City to champion something like this that brings so many different types of humans together. Two booths with their fair share of differences, Israel and Palestine. Kansas City Palestinians operated its first booth at this year's Ethnic Enrichment Festival. The Palestinian story is best told by the Palestinian people. Folks can indulge in traditional body art and cuisine and it's also a sobering experience for Sam Salem, a native to Gotham. She tells me her family is caught in the Israel-Palestine conflicts crossfire. It is really bittersweet for me because I'm here feeding people when I can't even feed my own family. Across the way in Israel, Sam Nahum tells me that the weekend isn't about politics. It's about representation and indulging in what makes us different. You make the people here happy with the type of thing that you bring them and you know, make it in peace. Palestinian immigrant Faye Asawi says her culture's acceptance in Kansas City is the harmony that she sought 30 years ago. I cannot imagine one day this is going to happen and it happened right now. American people over here got to know who are Palestinian people. Two cultures sharing their stories is a lesson in humanity as they further their quest for peace. When you get to know a people, it starts changing your mind. Nobody chosen to be born and nobody chosen to be born Israeli or Palestinian, but we here. If you respect God and you love the creator, you should love his creature. In Kansas City, Ryan Gamboa, KSHB 41 News.

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