Palestinians and Jews Working for Peace
April 3-26
Opening Reception: April 6, 5-8 PM

Rayan Abu anzeh, 3rd grade, at Oasis of Peace, draws for the A/NT Gallery show.

Humanity demands that to confront the ongoing tragic war, Jews and Palestinians must work together for peace.

Oasis of Peace

Halfway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is a village of Jews and Palestinians - citizens of Israel - who believe it is possible for their two people to work together as equals for peace. Its name in English is Oasis of Peace. In the Primary School, Palestinian and Jewish children become fluent in Arabic and Hebrew. This is rare in mostly segregated Israel, but through the village's efforts the model is spreading.

The work you see in Palestinians and Jews Working for Peace was created for A/NT Gallery’s April 2024 Public Benefit Show. It is comprised of small works on paper from students in the Primary School who were asked: "In light of the current situation and as members of Oasis of Peace, express your aspirations for a peaceful future." 

High school-aged students and high school graduates, who study outside the village, are part of a youth group that allows them to continue the bridge-building work they learned in the Primary School. Some of their work is represented as well.

Through the School for Peace, adults in the community provide a time-tested workshop that brings Jews and Palestinians together to confront the reality of inequality in Israel.

Muhammad Jariry, 3rd Grade, at Oasis of Peace, makes art for the A/NT Gallery show.

For most in the village, the question of the occupation of Palestinian lands in the West Bank and Gaza is easily answered: it must end. For them, the current war is dramatic evidence of their position. Both Palestinians and Jews were shocked at the outset of the war, but naturally had different perspectives. They held meetings separately until both Jews and Palestinians felt they were ready to join together to resolve any differences and move their work for peace forward. They now offer workshops for others in Israel looking beyond the tragic bloodshed.

Visitors to the Gallery can donate to Oasis of Peace. If a donor wants to receive a thankyou from Oasis of Peace, the children have offered their work for a suggested donation of $25 per each of the 36 artworks displayed on the black boards in the gallery. Four other works by older village youth are available as well. (Update - On the first day of the show, April 3, one has been given to a donor already!) Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Visit the Oasis of Peace website.

Oasis of Peace Primary School students work on art to send to A/NT Gallery.

Local Artist Participation

Rainer Waldman Adkins (a Seattle Jewish peace and justice activist) and Hiba Jameel (an Iraqi-American artist and longtime member of A/NT Gallery), have joined together to create works expressing the idea that making war or working for peace is a choice. Too often groups in conflict assume war is a given.

Together Rainer and Hiba created a calligraphic banner in Arabic and Hebrew. Both have also provided several two-dimensional works expressing the concept that even in the midst of this tragic war we still have the possibility of choosing a different path.

Carpet Bombing Gaza, Hiba Jameel; Unearthly Grief, Selma Waldman; Sumood/Hatmadah, Rainer Waldman Adkins. Powerful expressions in response to war, violence, and injustice.

A large artwork by Rainer’s mother, Selma Waldman of blessed memory, fits in perfectly. It expresses the anguish felt by anyone confronted with the horrors of war and violence.

Forced to move from one “safe zone” to the next.

Gaza Children Draw

Local peace and justice activist, D’vorah Kost, a Jewish woman, has been visiting Gaza supporting their efforts to end the occupation and to create a Palestinian state. She has made many friends there. Now she is providing financial and technical support so they can escape the war in Gaza.

Wejdan, the supervisor of the Meera Kindergarten in Gaza City, decided to do art classes despite destruction of the school. Dozens of children showed up and created these stunning expressions of pain and resilience. D’vorah recently returned to Seattle with a collection of 25 pictures. Four pieces are making their debut at A/NT Gallery this April.

Children in Gaza City, despite the destruction of their school, continue making art. The painting shown here is now at A/NT Gallery along with three other children’s artworks.

In order to support D’vorah in her efforts to help refugees, A/NT Gallery will be taking donations during the show. You may also donate directly via PayPal (send money to @Gazachildrendraw). All proceeds go to covering the fees Egyptian authorities are charging and other minor costs incurred by the refugee families. These are non-deductible contributions.