A Journalist From Palestine

I illustrated Moath after I saw his photograph circulating online. He had an injured eye and wore a journalist vest with PRESS in bold letters. I became angry, frustrated, and sad. I was reminded that as Palestinians, we will always be targeted. Moath was a journalist simply doing his job: reporting the truth, no guns, no rocks, harmless. Nonetheless, he makes noise, ensuing feelings of threat from the opposing side. In response, a sniper shot at his eye, hoping to diminish Moath’s spirit and his will to continue documenting. Being angry is okay as long as this energy is manifested in a good cause. Moath’s story created noise within me. I felt compelled to tell his story as a testament to the many injustices occurring in Palestine daily.

Narmeen Hamadeh is a Saudi-born, Palestinian multidisciplinary artist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture, having co-founded Skamlah, an interior and landscaping design studio. As an illustrator, she has established an aesthetic steeped in culture, activism, and the seeking of beauty. She places deep importance on the Arab footprint, emphasizing her Palestinian heritage in a sometimes ‘hiding in plain sight’ approach.