As communities across Georgia are supporting each other in the wake of violence in the Israel-Hamas war, Democratic state Rep. Ruwa Romman reflects on the challenges and support she's felt.

Romman is the granddaughter of Palestinian refugees. She said that she has found support in Georgia’s Palestinian and Muslim communities but has also found that Jewish and Palestinian people can uniquely support each other.

“While there are those who are attempting to make it seem like those are unlikely allies, I actually think our shared experiences throughout history and even now in the present is the reason why the solidarity is so steadfast," she said. 

Groups in Georgia have organized interfaith conversations between Muslim and Jewish leaders since the Oct. 7 attacks to encourage healing and discussion.

About 1,200 people were killed in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, according to Israeli health officials. 240 people are believed to be hostages by Hamas. 

Palestinians are feeling the pain of the war as well. Over 11,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to health officials in Gaza. Officials said that is about one out of every 200 people living in Gaza. 

Romman said that may people have come to her to discuss the Palestinian-American experience. 

"As an elected official now, I've kind of been tasked with being that voice in that representation for the diaspora, and it's just added a whole new level to all of this in terms of what's required of me as a state representative," she said, adding that many Palestinians are tired of "being defined by a terrorist group rather than who we are as people."

Tags: Georgia  georgia legislature  palestinian  Israel Hamas War  Atlanta  Israel Palestine  jewish community  muslim