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

"I think it's very important for Kansas City to champion something like this that brings so many different people together," said Lizzy Naughton, an Ethnic Enrichment Festival patron.

Kansas City Palestinians operated their first booth at this year's festival, offering visitors traditional body art and cuisine.

"The Palestinian story is best told by the Palestinian people," said Samantha Salem, Palestine Commissioner for the Ethnic Enrichment Commission.

For Salem, a native of Gaza, the experience was bittersweet as her family remains caught in the crossfire of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

"It is really bit

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