Law Student Studying Abroad In Israel Decides To Stay In War Zone And Assist Relief Efforts

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Israeli airstrikes on Gaza (Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images)

University of Texas Law student Oceane Maher was planning on studying abroad in Tel Aviv when a war broke out. She told CBS News that she woke up to a rocket alert on her phone, but even that didn’t prepare her for the reality of war. “I didn’t realize the magnitude of it and as we got more and more information it became apparent that this isn’t a normal conflict. This is a real war,” she said.

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While others in a similar position might try to find their way back to the United States as quickly as possible, Maher is making a different choice. She’s decided to stay in Israel and helping to organize donations to folks in the conflict areas.

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“I don’t just want to sit at home and do nothing. I want to help in any way I can and I’m not a solider so this is what I can do,” Oceane said.

While an admirable goal, it is undoubtedly stressful for her parents who are watching her social media posts about those efforts. As her father, Tom Maher, said, “I’m watching Instagram. She’s in a taxi full of supplies talking about being from Texas with the taxi driver and you’re like… maybe just head towards a safer place than a military base at this moment.”

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Her dad also noted the family was trying to convince Oceane to return to the U.S., but so far, have been unsuccessful.

“She has to make a choice. We respect her choice, but that doesn’t mean we don’t convince her to try and modify it. At this point our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that’s being impacted,” Tom said, knowing his daughter and her friends are fueled by their passion for human rights.

“They’re all doing, obviously, the right things but when it’s your kid principles go out the window. Are we proud of her? Of course we are, but we’re spending a whole lot more time worried about her,” he said.

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Her father noted she was “pretty defiant” about not coming home. And he sees that dedication as a good indicator she’s on the correct career path, “She probably has the right temperament to be a lawyer.”

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @[email protected].

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Israel, Law Schools, University of Texas Law School