Right to Remain

Manar Shreateh (I Witness Silwan):

The Sumud Mural represents the unbreakable spirit of the Palestinian people and the strength of our resistance, capturing the essence of sumud—steadfastness in the face of ongoing oppression. It shows that our struggle for liberation is shared and supported across borders. I feel honored to have witnessed the beginning of this powerful mural and to have contributed ideas that are now part of its story. I'm also proud to see how "I Witness Silwan" is represented in these murals, connecting our local struggle to the global fight for justice. In this mural, I see the resilience, hope, and creativity that define our fight for freedom.

Jenan Maswadeh (I Witness Silwan):

The Sumud Mural powerfully expresses the enduring resilience of the Palestinian people, symbolizing both the strength of our spirit and our collective fight for liberation. Witnessing the mural in person has been truly inspiring, reminding me that our struggle for freedom is part of a broader, shared resistance. This mural instills hope, determination, and solidarity, driving us forward and strengthening our steadfastness in our land.

Hana Ishkirat and Jenna Abuhasna (International Advocacy Officer - Addameer):

The Palestinian cause cannot be fragmented; every aspect, from Gaza to Israeli prisons, is part of a single, overarching struggle against oppression and injustice, underscoring the need for collective action and support. This is why it is crucial that the ill-treatment faced by Palestinian detainees is brought to light because the entire cause is interlinked. 

The mural helps in bringing global attention and public knowledge of these crimes which will lead to accountability and the prosecution of perpetrators. 

There’s a lot of symbolism that comes into play when looking at any piece of art, and within this piece we see some quotes like “Your body may be imprisoned but never your soul”, which is there to essentially state that although its for Palestinians in physical detention, the mural helped tie this concept with the occupation being an open air prison and our spirit will remain. 

Additional notes: The current number of Palestinian detainees, as of October 2024, has reached to 10,100 prisoners across all prisons and military camps.