A Visual Statement Against the Silencing of Palestinian Voices in Germany

“Can you imagine what life must have been like with a four meter high wall and an almost 70 meter wide death strip right at your doorstep?”

This quote is displayed to the public in Berlin.
This is what Germany wants you to imagine. But, for many Palestinians living in the city, they don’t have to imagine. They live this back home, in a very stark physical and political reality.

Cacti is a photography series that combines black and white digital images with text and line art in selected frames. The project aims to portray the anger, frustration and hopes of Palestinians and their allies who live in Berlin.

Through a sequence of staged and abstract images, Cacti juxtaposes key monuments erected around Berlin to commemorate specific events in history with hidden or abstract participants. Chosen frames within the series include digital lined illustrations to emphasize the story behind each image.

In May 2022, the Berlin local government made a U-turn on its decision to allow the commemoration of the Palestinian 1948 Nakba (catastrophe) to proceed. It right out banned it. The organizers cancelled the demonstration, but the people stood in solidarity. Flags, the Palestinian Kufiyyeh (scarf) and other symbols were raised in silence. As a result, the German police arrested 115 individuals, 25 of whom have been fine and many have been going through court hearings since early 2023.

Despite its bloody history, that includes an occupation wall, Germany is one of the most repressive places in Europe for pro-Palestinian voices. Bottled up public guilt from the Holocaust, together with systemic racism in the German political system, contribute to biased and blind support to a fascist settler colony in Palestine.

Recent media reports confirm that German ministers and senators agreed on several steps that would criminalize pro-Palestinian voices. By adopting the controversial IHRA definition of anti-antisemitism, the country has automatically
labeled any criticism of Israel as anti-Semitic.

The Palestinian struggle is narrowed down to labels of “Islamic terrorists” versus “Jewish victims”.

In the first quarter of 2023, more than 95 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces. Our voices outside are silenced. Some feel threatened to speak out. It is an audacity. It is angering.

Participating volunteers are kept anonymous to protect their identities and limit any negative consequences on their lives that might result due to their involvement in this series. The only full visible face is that of the lead artist.

Cacti have traditionally surrounded Palestinian lands. They remain silent witnesses of depopulated villages and to the continued colonization of our home. They symbolize beauty, continuation and tough resistance. When one Palestinian voice is raised, it echoes and spreads like cacti. It shall never be silenced. In spite of forces like those in Germany.

Read more about the project under "The Written Word" tab on the Menu.