Palestine and the Keffiyeh
If you’ve ever seen a keffiyeh in person, I bet it was probably at a recent march or protest in your town. I would also venture a guess that it was just as likely to be worn by someone from any race or nationality… So while you may know it’s tied to Palestine, do you […]
Thaira, 34 years old
I connected with Thaira after she reached out via direct message asking for support for her family. We’re now two years into this escalation, and about eight months into my being aware of it (I know – I’m still embarrassed that it took me that long to be aware) and I still can’t imagine having […]
Noor, 27 years old
I met Noor like I’ve met all my Palestinian friends: on Instagram. She reached out first and it struck me as surprising that she did not lead with asking for a donation. I wouldn’t blame her if she had; life is nearly unsurvivable in Gaza. There are no resources available, and what little can be […]
Palestine and the Jaffa Orange
Hey, hi, hello, and welcome back to the We Were, We Are memorial quilt for Palestine. This square is for a symbol once tied to sweetness, abundance, and home. Today we have Palestine and the Jaffa orange. Palestine and the Jaffa Orange The Jaffa orange is a variety of orange that has few seeds and […]
Amir, 9 years old
Today’s square for We Were, We Are I connected with Amir’s father on Instagram through the account he runs for their family. His story At nine years old, Amir remembers life before this latest escalation of aggression by Israel. Is it better to have memories of happier times, with school, friends, dreams, and a bounty […]
Palestine and the Watermelon
Hey, hi, hello, and welcome to the next installation of the We Were, We Are memorial quilt for Palestine. Today is another symbol of Palestine, the watermelon. Palestine and the Watermelon: History, Symbolism, and Cultural Power In 1967, Israel forbade Palestinians from flying their flag. In response, the people turned to something deceptively ordinary: the […]
Palestinian Tatreez
Hey, hi, hello, and welcome back to the We Were, We Are memorial quilt for Palestine. If you’re new here, welcome! The purpose of We Were, We Are is to honor the people of Palestine as well as their stories. I wanted to capture their stories beyond the headlines that made them famous. As the […]
Ayssel and Asser, 3 days old
Their story Born on August 10, 2024, Ayssel and Asser entered a world that had long been overshadowed by big heavy words like siege and blockade. But in their three short days of life, they knew only their parents’ love. In those first two days, when we returned home with our twins, my wife wouldn’t […]
Palestine and the Poppy
Among Palestinians, the poppy is far more than a wildflower blooming on the hillsides each spring. It is a national symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and rootedness in the land. Children grow up gathering its vivid red blossoms, known as hannoun in the north and shaqiq in the south. And yet, behind this act lies a […]
The Palestinian Flag
Welcome to the very center of the We Were, We Are Palestine memorial quilt. Every square in the quilt holds a story, and the Palestinian flag at its center is no exception. When I crocheted this square, I wasn’t just following a pattern. Instead, I was stitching together threads of history, identity, and resilience. The […]