Using Art to reject Israels occupation of Palestinian land, Artists From Oakland, California depict the deep ties Palestinians have with the land of former Palestine. Ties as entrenched within the land as the trees that once stood atop it.
The Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural in its entirety . Here is another growing form of nonviolent resistance to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, brought to life by the paints and hands of visionaries.
An image I found to be touching and mesmerizing, depicting Anne Frank, a German born Jewish girl and diarist of the traumatic account of life, as a Jewish person, during WWII and Nazi Germanys reign of horror again the Jewish covenant. Here she is artistically rendered in the traditional Palestinian scarf, a choice made by the artist which left me stunned in awe of the image and the young, brave martyrs ability to bring two worlds, severed by political and religious intervention, together.
Powerful image displaying the juxtaposing worlds of the boy within the artistic drawing and the boy walking along the separation wall.
A portion of the Oakland Palestine Solidarity Mural representing the connections that various social agents such as capitalism, corporate interests and material wealth, and militaristic pursuits as represented by the water pipeline beneath the soil, in the art piece, as well as the eyes of sadness highlighting the effects of nuclear weapon use and institutionalized racism.
Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, including occupied Palestinian territory, is a reckless threat to peace. As we currently and will continuously see, more violence is a direct reaction from this. Palestinians have had their rights violated, their homes stolen, and their family members jailed or shot dead. Making such a statement and decision that supports Israel as these persecutions and attacks continue, has caused a ripple effect of violence as it makes the Unites States stance in supporting the rights of Israeli citizens over Palestinians. Ahed Tamimi is fighting for her right and is using her voice to challenge this decision and because of this, she was detained by Israeli soldiers in the middle of the night, charged and could have spent up to 10 years in prison.
Ever since 2012, “The lady lion of Palestine”, also known as Ahed Tamimi has been fighting for not only her and her family’s rights, but the rights of Palestinian citizens. She is known as the “lady lion of Palestine” due to her consistent protesting of Israeli land – grabbing and military brutality; She’s seen as an icon among Palestinians. On December 15th, Israeli soldiers entered Aheds family’s home located on the West Bank days after shooting her cousin with rubber bullets and hours after tear- gassing their home, and she, being the fearless icon she is, slapped the IDF soldier pointing his gun at her in close range. Today, the Palestinian 16- year- old is being charged with aggravated assault after having been arrested alongside her mother in the middle of the night on December 19th. She was charged with 10 years in prison at 16.
