Tadamon Exhibition: images of solidarity & strength in Palestine

Image funeral march for four assassinated men, Bethlehem March 2008 ©Pennie Quinton 2010

Tadamon means solidarity in Arabic and these images show moments of strength witnessed in the Palestinian struggle for survival.

Moments following extra-judicial killings of beloved members of the community wanted by the Israeli government.

People of Nablus protest against 2008/2009 war on Gaza in the Safe place for Gaza tent.©Pennie Quinton 201o

Moments in which people in the West Bank are forced to deal with their confusion and pain brought on by the Gaza war of 2008/2009 – combined with the Palestinian Authority clamping down on protest in the West bank at this desperate time.

Moments such as the bravery of children whose first language has become the politics of survival, out on the streets hurling stones at the wall following yet another bombardment of their cousins in Gaza.

Boy kicks tear gas grenade back towards the wall Bethlehem March 2008 ©Pennie Quinton 2010

Or moments of the villagers of Nilin and B' lin facing tear gas and stun grenades in their protests, held every Friday since 2004, resisting the illegal apartheid wall built on village lands.

Nilin October 2008 ©Pennie Quinton 2010

There is a saying in Palestine that ‘to be Palestinian is to exist to resist‘ and this essential stubbornness and refusal to disappear, this insistence on being continually present in the face of ongoing repression that interferes in every area of life, is a potent force in the demand for sovereignty.

The price of this is high, and people have been paying it since 1948. But there is no choice but to keep on paying it to resist is to survive.

Corpse of Mohammad Shehada assassinated by Israeli forces 12th March 2008 ©Pennie Quinton 2010

I love and admire this Palestinian strength in the struggle for self-determination and the moments where dancing and joy overflow despite everything.

Boys dance Dubka at Sabastia ancient amphitheatre Nakba 2008 ©Pennie Quinton 2010

I am proud to share some of these moments I was honoured to witness during my work in Palestine.

Tadamon Exhibition opening night private view is on the 2^nd September at the Freedom Gallery. above Freedom book shop in Angel Alley off Whitechapel High Street. Nearest Tube Aldgate East.

The Tadamon Exhibtion is open 12.00 – 18.00 Monday to Saturday and Sunday 12.00- 1600 until October the 5^th.

Freedom Bookshop
Angel Alley
84b Whitechapel High Street
London E1 7QX
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday Midday till 6pm, Midday till 4pmSunday
Phone: 020 7247 9249
email: shop@freedompress.org.uk

http://www.freedompress.org.uk/news