More than 30 people from more than 15 cultural backgrounds have been photographed with messages of peace amid the Israel-Gaza conflict for a future photo collage to send love and support to Palestine.
Organiser Kat Beyle says the project, which began capturing individuals with peace messages in different languages from early January, was designed to offer support and hope to New Zealand-based Palestinians who feel they don’t have a voice.
“The intent is not so much about taking sides than about promoting peace, although obviously Palestine is the focus as it is bearing the brunt of the attacks,” she says.
“I invited anyone I thought might be interested to participate from different nationalities, and the [Te Tau Ihu Palestine Solidarity] group helped me to spread the flyer that I made.
“The response has been really great… people have been photographed around different locations in Nelson like the Miyazu Garden and Queens Gardens, I’ve tried to keep a consistent green leafy background to convey a sense of hope and peace.”
Kat says the project also intended to heighten the call for the government to follow in her home country Chile’s footsteps in looking beyond politics and taking a human-centric stand in condemning the ongoing attacks, and calling for an immediate ceasefire.
She says she was developing a collage of the photos and later plans to find a suitable location to exhibit them, along with traditional Palestinian food and music offerings to showcase the culture.
“We live in a privileged country and I wish that everyone in the world could feel safe.”
