The situation in Israel and Gaza also creates tensions in Amsterdam. How can we, as Amsterdammers, stay connected, continue to see each other as human beings, especially when the city is under pressure? This is what the outdoor exhibition In Gesprek is about, which will travel throughout the city. Neomi and Anisa also participated. “I wish everyone would fight for the rights of all people.”
Neomi has an Israeli background. Anisas father’s family lives in Gaza. Together they took photos and talked about the war and the tensions in Amsterdam. Anisa: “There are days when I am extremely angry or very sad. There are also days when I feel nothing and days when I can enjoy life again.”
Trauma
Neomi demonstrates a lot. “For the release of the Israeli hostages by Hamas, but also against the Israeli violence in Gaza. Israel is built from trauma. So many mistakes have been made.” Anisa: “I don’t think the Israelis should leave, but the Palestinians live under an occupation. This must come to an end, peace alone is not enough. I wear a keffiyeh to speak out against this injustice, but sometimes I feel unsafe when I wear it.”
Beautiful Place
Neomi: “I understand that fear. The other day I was in a taxi with my mother and the driver asked where we were from. I didn’t dare to say: from Israel. It’s sad that you don’t dare to express your identity. I wish everyone would fight for the rights of all people. With all the money currently being spent on the war, you could feed everyone in the world and make such a beautiful place out of it.”
13 Pairs
For the exhibition, 13 pairs took photos together and talked about the situation in Israel, Palestine, and Amsterdam. Pairs with different backgrounds. For example, one is Muslim, the other Jewish, or one has a Palestinian background, the other an Israeli one.
On the Move
Until March 20, you can visit the outdoor exhibition In Gesprek at the city hall, Amstel 1. Then the exhibition will move for 3 weeks to the West district. Afterwards, the exhibition will travel through all districts and to Weesp until mid-August. At amsterdam.nl/ingesprek you can see when the exhibition will be in your district.
Creators
This exhibition was created by the Open Mind foundation in collaboration with the Municipality of Amsterdam. The photos and videos were taken by Miriam Guttmann, a Jewish-Amsterdam photographer and documentary maker. The conversations were led and transcribed by Salwa van der Gaag, a journalist with a Palestinian father.
Want to Know More
- All photos, stories, and videos can be found at stichtingopenmind.nl/ingesprek.
- More about what the Municipality of Amsterdam is doing against discrimination can be found at amsterdam.nl/diversiteit.