Occupation and Resistance: from Palestine to Wellington

A devastatingly courageous photo exhibition is opening at Thistle Hall in Wellington on February 2nd. Showcasing the daily experience of Palestinians living under occupation, the exhibition features bold images from the front line of the struggle for justice in Palestine.

2-7 February 2010 at Thistle Hall, Wellington

This exhibition is a rare opportunity for New Zealanders to see a different side of the conflict. “We want to show the different ways in which Israel destroys people’s livelihoods, homes, land and hope” says Israeli peace activist and exhibition organiser Kerem Blumberg. “But we also want to emphasise that Palestinians and Israelis continue to work together towards real peace and justice, through non-violent resistance to the Israeli state and military. Now that I am living in New Zealand, it feels like something that I can share.” continues Kerem “I have found other people here who have been witness to the occupation who wanted to make the exhibition happen”.

These moving images are the work of the widely published group ‘ActiveStills’ a collective of photographers, based in Israel, who believe in the power of photography as a tool for social justice. Formed in 2005, they have since held and participated in exhibitions in Munich, Olympia, Bil’in (West Bank), Tel Aviv, Toronto, Montreal, Malmo, Lund and Amsterdam.

Opening night will include the New Zealand launch of the book Gaza: Beneath the Bombs by Sharyn Lock of the Free Gaza Movement and Sarah Irving. The Israeli offensive in Gaza was described by Amnesty international as "22 days of death and destruction". Defying an international press ban, Sharyn Lock’s eye witness blogs became crucial reading for anyone following the conflict. Gathered here, they are a unique account of the reality of life in Gaza beneath the bombs including her harrowing eyewitness accounts while volunteering with Palestinian ambulance medics.

Events, including a teach-in and documentary screening will be held during the week of the exhibition to raise awareness and mobilise solidarity with Palestinians.

ENDS

For more details about the exhibition or comment (also for high resolution photos), please contact Kerem Blumberg on: pal.exhibition@gmail.com

For more information about ‘ActiveStills’:
ActiveStills website: www.activestills.org

Regular photo updates of events in Israel/Palestine: www.flickr.com/photos/activestills

An article about ActiveStills in the Jerusalem Post: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1251804557937&pagename=JPost%...

For more information about the book Gaza: Beneath the bombs: http://www.plutobooks.com/display.asp?K=9780745330242&