Balata Project, Palestine

Adjacent to the city of Nablus, Balata is the largest refugee camp in the West Bank. The camp has 23,000 residents living in a 0.7 square mile area. The unemployment rate is 25% as a result of the policies of the Israeli occupation. Only two schools serve the camp. Many young people are without hope and the physical environment is composed of three-story concrete blocks with almost no space between them.

Invited by Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, leader of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) team, Lily Yeh worked with volunteer artists, members of the Balata Women's Center, students of the Balata Girls’ School, and local participants to create art that would reflect the deep pain, the intense longing to return to their homeland, and the hope for peace in the future.

A drawing by a female student vividly expressing the sentiment of many Palestinian refugees - the longing to return to their homeland. With the key to open Jerusalem, they dream to worship at the Dome of the Rock, a place most dear and sacred to Palestinians.

Bedecked by glorious blossoms, this rugged ancient olive tree upholds the Dome Of the Rock in the center against a star-studded night sky where white doves are fluttering. Someone offered these words for the mural: 

Ancient, powerful and enduring, 
The Palestinian Tree of Life
has blossomed 
for thousands of years. 
It will continue to thrive. 
One day, peace will return. 
Hope and joy will prevail.

At the end of the project, our Palestinian coordinator Majdi Shella gave us these powerful words: "We must try to give something every day. We must continue to struggle for justice and human dignity through education, culture, and art, not only for Palestinians, but also for Israelis, and all the people in the world."

Oday standing in front of a painted statement “Existence is Resi(s)tance, 2011.” It is one of the many wall writings in Arabic and English referring to people’s determination against occupation. 

Youth participating in the painting of a 12’x 20’ mural on the exterior wall of the Balata Girls School at the main thoroughfare of the camp. 

Participants painting The Palestinian Tree of Life mural.