Palestine

In 2013 I found myself in an unusual situation, which led to my first visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), a place, and a political situation, I knew nothing about. My curiosity led me back four more times over a period of six years, primarily to learn about life under Occupation. I met with myriad organizations working on the ground with Palestinians, fighting against this oppressive situation. I also worked side by side with local Palestinian families, planting trees or harvesting olives on their farmlands, and serving as a protective presence. I was shocked and stunned at what I learned. Most importantly, as an American, it opened my eyes to the inaccurate perceptions in the U.S. about Palestinian people, and the bias that exists in the way that they are portrayed, especially through the media. I learned about, and even witnessed, many injustices being perpetrated by the Israeli government towards the Palestinians on many fronts: from the manner in which children are targeted, detained, and incarcerated, to the way in which Palestinian land is stolen, in plain sight, to expand illegal settlements, where only Jewish Israelis are allowed to live—and so much more. I also began to make personal connections with Palestinians and developed a photographic project called  "Faces of Occupied Palestine"... a series of environmental portraits of Palestinians in their daily lives, to create awareness of the deep struggle that pervades every aspect of their existence throughout their life under occupation.