Performance with Amal Kawar
This is a long white truce flag that is shared by inextricably linked
peoples (Israelis and Palestinians) and contested land. The piece
resembles a shroud that is composed mainly of old white handkerchiefs
(historically used as truce flags), white baby t-shirts and other white
pieces of cloth (linen napkins, pieces of domestic cloth). It is
attached to two flag poles (olive wood branches from olive trees that
were pulled up to build the wall between Israel and the Palestinian
Territories) and has text burned into each olive wood stick. The quotes
on each stick are from mothers who have each lost a child because of
Israeli/Palestinian violence.
One quote is by Nurid Peled-El Hanan from Jerusalem…
For me the struggle is not between Palestinians and
Israelis, nor between Jews and Arabs. The fight is between those who
seek peace and those who seek war. My people are those who seek peace.
The other is by Hanan Lubadeh from Nablus…
I’ve known Israeli bereaved mothers for many years. The
mothers’ pain is similar, no matter if they are Israeli or Palestinian.
It does not matter whether she is from Nablus, Shoafat, Rosh Pinah or
Nof Ayalon. The pain is seared into us and will be with us forever.
