‘Our works are next to each other’: Art bridges Gaza and West Bank

Young Palestinian artists in Gaza and the occupied West Bank bring their work together in simultaneous exhibitions, despite Israeli restrictions that keep them apart. Save Share Bethlehem, occupied West Bank –Artists arrived with family and friends at the Bethlehem Peace Center, where a live feed connected them to a small gathering at an artist’s studio in Bureij refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip. The two exhibitions marked the opening of Anamel Falasteen, the first competition organised by Falasteen Collective, a cultural initiative launched in 2025 by Palestinian artists, filmmakers, designers and others working in arts and culture. The three-day twin exhibitions, held earlier this week, brought together young Palestinian artists whose work and opportunities to meet are separated by Israeli movement restrictions. “In the competition, we have Palestinian artists from Jerusalem, historic Palestine, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,” said Osama Nazzal, one of the judges, speaking in Bethlehem. “I don’t like these divisions. I want to say all of Palestine.” From his studio at Gallery Paleta in Gaza’s Bureij refugee camp, amid Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on the Palestinian enclave, painter and juror Ghanem Al Den sent greetings on the live feed. “Greetings and peace from soul to soul, from Gaza to our sister Palestinian cities across this beloved homeland,” he said. “In this competition, many things that were lost came together. The most important thing is hope.” After the speeches, visitors had the opportunity to take a closer look at the paintings, photographs and drawings that covered the walls. Visitors moved between them, stopping to look closer, point and talk about what they saw. “Artists decided to come from Hebron, from Ramallah, from Jerusalem, from Jaffa, from Nablus, despite the risk,” said Mohamed Abusrour, one of the founding members of Falasteen Collective. “They have a voice, they want to contribute, and they want to show the world that we still exist.” Not all the works on display in Bethlehem were originals. Because of the blockade and movement restrictions, the organisers said there was no way to transport original artworks out of Gaza. Instead, they printed reproductions of the Gaza submissions and hung them alongside original pieces. For one Bethlehem visitor, the curation was what stood out. She assumed some works exploring similar themes were by the same artist....