Palestine Photo Gallery by Damon Lynch at pbase.com

Palestine

Watch this audio slideshow to view scenes from a September 2, 2005 protest by Palestinians against Israeli occupation and the security barrier in the village of Bilin in the West Bank:

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Peacebuilder teacher training - Bethlehem	Peacebuilder teacher training - Bethlehem	Bethlehem skyline	Jesus's birthplace - Bethlehem
Boy in market - Bethlehem	Fascinated Orthodox Priest - Bethlehem	Prayers - Bethlehem	Woman praying - Bethlehem
Nativity Church - Bethlehem	Moving carpet - Bethlehem	Market place - Bethlehem	Israeli Soldier - Hebron
Boy - Hebron	Hebron skyline	Boys - Hebron	Boys - Hebron
The past revisited in Hebron	Hebron	Behind bars - Hebron	Destroyed Palestinian market - Hebron
Girl atop stairs - Hebron	Juice vendor - Hebron	Jerry Levin - Hebron	Woman - Hebron
Bob - Hebron	Making glass - Hebron	Susanna - Hebron Bethlehem highway	Shatha - Bethlehem
Nivin - Bethlehem	Pilgrims - Bethlehem	Bethlehem skyline	Nimala - Bethlehem
Arab American University students - Jenin	Jenin countryside	Ashraf - Jenin	Jenin
Jenin	Jenin	Girls having fun - Jenin	Girl - Jenin
Girl - Jenin	Boy - Jenin	Abeer - Jenin	Women - Jerusalem
Ethiopians praying - Jerusalem	Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Jerusalem	Church - Jerusalem	Muslim women Christian church - Jerusalem
Praying - Jerusalem	Climbing stairs - Jerusalem	On the road - Bethlehem Abu Dis road	Fateh activist with Yasser Arafat - Abu Dis
Red beetle - Jerusalem	Turkish Bath - Jerusalem	Dome of the Rock - Jerusalem	Dome of the Rock - Jerusalem
Girls - Jerusalem	Dome of the Rock - Jerusalem	Preaching - Jerusalem	Al Aqsa Mosque - Jerusalem
Al Aqsa Mosque - Jerusalem	Arabic students - Jerusalem	Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Jerusalem	Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Jerusalem
Girl in refugee camp - Jerusalem	Boy in refugee camp - Jerusalem	Girl in refugee camp - Jerusalem	Boy in refugee camp - Jerusalem
Old woman in refugee camp - Jerusalem	Girls in refugee camp - Jerusalem	Three girls - Jerusalem	Barbara - Jerusalem
Israeli Security Wall - Jerusalem / Abu Dis	That's right boys - Bethlehem	Children - Jerusalem	Prayer service - Bethlehem
Boy and girl - Hebron	Boy and girl - Hebron	Two girls - Hebron	Girl - Hebron
Making orange juice - Hebron	Hebron Mosque	Border police - Hebron	Boy - Hebron
Boys - Hebron	Girl and boy - Hebron	Boy - Hebron	Two girls- Jerusalem
Old city life - Jerusalem	Family - Jerusalem	Holy sites - Jerusalem	The scream - Bilin
Blind Palestinian villager during protest - Bil'in	Amidst former settlement land - Gaza	Boy among ruins of former settlement - Gaza	Gaza boy and settler schoolchildren - Gaza
Boy among ruins of former settlement - Gaza	Girl among ruins of former settlement - Gaza	Joyful - Gaza	Boy - Gaza
Boy - Gaza	Early morning - Gaza City	Donkey and cart - Gaza	Boys- Gaza
Edward Said book cover - Gaza	Celebrating Gaza pullout- Ramallah	Crowd - Ramallah	Girls in the crowd - Ramallah
Women first - Ramallah	Celebrating Gaza pullout - Ramallah	Celebrating Gaza pullout - Ramallah	Celebrating Gaza pullout - Ramallah
Celebrating Gaza pullout - Ramallah	Celebrating Gaza pullout - Ramallah	The wall - Bethlehem	Guard tower, the wall - Bethlehem
Children - Bethlehem	Girl - Bethlehem	Girls in charge- Bethlehem	The wall - Bethlehem
Dance practice - Bethlehem	Two girls - Bethlehem	The wall - Bethlehem	The wall - Bethlehem
Palestinian girls - Jerusalem	Impressing the ladies - Jerusalem	Impressing the ladies - Jerusalem	Girl and boy - Jerusalem
Upset boy - Jerusalem	Helping a little boy - Jerusalem	Stern Mexican nun - Jerusalem	Woman in market - Jerusalem
Lunchtime - Bethlehem	Hard day - Bethlehem	Young girl - Bethlehem	Old City - Jerusalem
Musical performance - Jerusalem	Friday prayers - Bethlehem	Friday prayers - Bethlehem	Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bukhari, Sufi - Jerusalem
Watching the sufis - Jerusalem	Sufi drummer - Jerusalem	Jesus loves you Saddam - Ramallah	Running man - Jerusalem
Laylat al-Qadr crowd - Jerusalem	Women - Jerusalem	Women - Jerusalem	Women - Jerusalem
Israeli soldiers and Palestinians - Jerusalem	Laylat al-Qadr crowd - Jerusalem	Dome of the Rock - Jerusalem	Laylat al-Qadr prayers - Jerusalem
Upset - Jerusalem	Girl - Jerusalem	Laylat al-Qadr crowd - Jerusalem	Laylat al-Qadr crowd - Jerusalem
Laylat al-Qadr crowd - Jerusalem	Laylat al-Qadr crowd - Jerusalem	Coffee vendor - Jerusalem	Laylat al-Qadr crowd - Jerusalem
Men - Jerusalem	Boys - Jerusalem	Man- Jerusalem	Huda Imam - Jerusalem
Woman - Jerusalem	Jerusalem	View from Hebrew University - Jerusalem	Two Nuns - Jerusalem
Former Palestinian Authority leadership - Ramallah	Palestinian soldier - Ramallah	Young nationalist - Ramallah	Palestinian soldiers - Ramallah
Palestinian soldier - Ramallah	Crowd - Ramallah	Yasser Arafat - Ramallah	Documenting the occupation - Qalandia checkpoint
Woman - Jerusalem	Woman - Jerusalem	Girl - Jerusalem	Girl - Jerusalem
Girl - Jerusalem	White worker - Nablus	Children - Nablus	Children - Nablus
Three happy girls - Nablus	Old city - Nablus	Ingredients - Nablus	Nablus skyline
Two old friends- Nablus	Church of the Nativity - Bethlehem	Beside Rachel's Tomb - Bethlehem	Bethlehem
Bethlehem checkpoint	Hamas supporters - Ramallah	Hamas supporter - Ramallah	Hamas supporters - Ramallah
Ramallah	Shopping - Ramallah	Shopping - Ramallah	Woman in traditional dress - Jerusalem
Working - Jerusalem	Three children - Jerusalem	Two girls - Jerusalem	Girl - Jerusalem
Three children - Jerusalem	Woman - Jenin	Student and "eye chart" - Jenin	Destroyed apartment building - Jenin
Lone man - Jenin	Three men - Jenin	Scaffolding on minaret - Jenin	Men - Jenin
Thin man - Jenin	Men - Jenin	Men - Jenin	Man walking - Jenin
Shepherd - Jerusalem	Winged man - Bethlehem	Dancing - Bethlehem	Happy - Bethlehem
Waiting - Bethlehem	On stage - Bethlehem	Walaa - Bethlehem	Man - Bethlehem
Conference - Bethlehem	Sheikh and Priest - Bethlehem	Checkpoint protest - Bethlehem	Sheikh protests - Bethlehem
Cemetery beside Old City- Jerusalem	Rabbi David Rosen	Amira Hass - Jerusalem	Sumaiyah - Jerusalem
Muslim children Jewish men - Jerusalem	Dome of the Rock - Jerusalem	Boys - Jerusalem	Boy and girl - Jerusalem
Ethiopian priest - Jerusalem	Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Jerusalem	Two Imams - Jerusalem	Praying - Jerusalem
Palestinian woman - Nazareth	Laylat Al Qadr prayers - Haram Al Sharif, Jerusalem	Laylat Al Qadr prayers - Haram Al Sharif, Jerusalem	Laylat Al Qadr prayers - Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem
Laylat Al Qadr prayers - Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem	School girls - Beit Ommar	Field - Hebron	Man - Hebron
Ideology on the ground - Hebron	Concrete weapons - Hebron	Forcibly closed - Hebron	Homes - Hebron
Street scene - Hebron	Mosque and communications tower - Hebron	Military observation post - Hebron	Peace or victory? - Hebron
Boys - Hebron	Horse with a load - Hebron	Man and mannequins - Hebron

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comment |

ANDREA		14-Jun-2015 06:42
Ma perché in PALESTINA CONTINUANO A LANCIARE BOMBE ? Riguardo alle FOTO SONO BELLISSIME E TU PBASE HAI GRANDE CORAGGIO AD ANDARE IN PALESTINE UN QUASI.REGIONE STATO DA PARTE O ISRAL MENOMAMALE CHE CHE LA HURIGRUTEN CERTE ROTTE NON LE FA AL MASSIMO IN ICELAND VICTOR

Guest		31-Mar-2015 12:31
I love Palestine's people specially when Israel attack you I have become shocked, anxious & saddened as well. I love plenty of u. Have patience !!!!!!!! NurNabi......Bangladesh

Guest		31-Mar-2015 12:29
I love Palestine's people specially when Israel attack you I have become shocked, anxious & saddened as well. I love plenty of u. have patience !!!!!!!!

Liosa ni Chiarain		19-Jul-2014 13:35
Beautiful work , shows humanity and the human spirit , I hope their spirit survives the horrific attacks on their nation

Guest		19-Jul-2014 13:31
Truely beautiful images and sadly a lot of these images will be just memories my heart goes put to the Palestinian people , I am not Muslim I am not Jewish , I am just an outsider who see the terrible wrongs :( that are happening to these people

Guest		30-Aug-2011 03:45
my name is sudarman , I am from Indonesia . I like palestines as they are muslim. all muslims are family in this moment I would like to have some friends from palestines whether they are girls or boys , anyone wants tobe my my friends ? this is my e - mail : darmansudarman53@yahoo.com

effildIncitle		11-Jun-2011 12:29
Very informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share your view with us.

Amany F.		31-Mar-2011 02:08
so amazing!nice work:)

HAMMAD KHAN		21-Feb-2011 12:11
I LIKE PALASTINE AND PALASTINI PEOPLE SO MUCH I AM FORM PAKISTAN

Damon Lynch		10-Jan-2011 02:00
Carlos, your comment is typical of those on the extreme right of the political spectrum who believe that intractable problems can be solved most effectively by force and without justice.

Carlos Henrique		09-Jan-2011 00:44
It would bwe good if the king of Palestine (Jordanian King) decided to take back all palestinians. It seems he's not very interested in the plight of his own people. I understand what is behind the effort to demonize Israel and make the palestinians the nicest people on Earth. Not really so. Someone is really blind when they refuse to see the truth. The palestinians belong in Jordan, not in Israel. Case closed.

AISYAH		02-Jun-2010 02:09
I HOPE PALESTINE GONNA BE OK... IT'S SO SORROWFUL'MOMENT.. I'M SO SAD.. MAY ALLAH BLESS US AMIIIIEEEN

NooR		05-Apr-2010 17:11
As an active blogger I have found that the vilest attacks on my work come from those I call AnonyMOUSE people. All due apologies to rodents everywhere. I love the way you have captured the very souls of your subjects and your studies of the Elders is beyond amazing. Children come by beauty easily still gifted with youth, but to bring the beauty of an ancient woman is truly a skill. To any who accuse you of any form of anti semitism, a useless word if ever there was, no more than a political toy, they even call Palestinians antisemites so go figure. Anyhow to those people, they are LOOKING for what is not there. What is there are photographs of people and small bits of commentary that I found to be objective. You have to LOOK for insult in your words and I did not see it despite comments from a few other viewers. Thank you for a fine fine gallery ... I will look at others when I have time. I would LOVE to see an updated gallery from you since things have changed so drastically since the time you took these. Considering the situation in Palestinian Jerusalem this spring... or the slaughter in Gaza last year. I wondered, with every face, how that person would face your camera today. Or, even worse, if they were even alive. Now, I have spent 3 hours in here. On a day I should have been doing "stuff". Smiles. I am happily behind schedule. TYVM Damon.

Didier Vanderperre		23-Feb-2009 02:17
Excellent gallery, great documentary ! V

Ray :)		20-Jan-2009 00:18
I hope those responsible see this and remember the innocent young ones they are killing.

Guest		16-Jan-2009 17:06
Incredible work, no matter what some detractors say. Wa'el Alzayat

Eric Herbelin		29-Aug-2008 16:05
looks like another world now. v

Guest		29-Aug-2008 10:03
amazing work V!

Guest		30-Jul-2008 12:41
Wish I could vote five times for this gallery! So many people photography Palestine, Iran, Pakistan as you have, yet everyone comes up flat. Except you! You and your photography are exceptional! Voted.

Rahul Padman		02-May-2008 12:27
Damon...this work is a piece of art and a piece of your heart...To love others has become kind of hard to this world and it is there you have made your presence ...Do this always and spread the message of love and peace...

Guest		31-Jan-2008 10:26
A very nice and human gallery. Thanks for sharing! itai

Elisa		18-Dec-2007 23:23
...missing Palestine...

Guest		04-Oct-2007 10:50
beautiful pics well done big V

Emad Omar		29-Aug-2007 13:58
Damon, these are GREAT! thank you for posting the world should see the truth of the real Palestine if u please go back ( i wish i can ) and post more and more

Aaron Beattie		08-Jul-2007 01:19
thank you for posting these photos. they do put a human perspective on both sides - for those who think that these pictures are anti-semitic, I would disagree - they paint a human face on the settlers, and the palestinians, who are 'enemies' in the eyes of each other.

Damon Lynch		05-Jul-2007 17:19
The Catholic Church used to be one of the most anti-semitic organizations, but that is no longer the case, particularly after Nostra Aetate. Seehttp://www.rabbidavidrosen.net/ for the site of one of the most remarkable rabbis in the area of reconciliation work between World Jewry and the Catholic Church. As for the idea that my photos show Jews and Palestinians differently, I explained the reason below and I feel no need to elaborate further.

Guest		05-Jul-2007 16:52
Damon, the catholic church has been the most anti-semitic organization in history! lol I'm not uncomfortable w/ photos of normal looking palestinians, I simply pointed out that you didn't take the same style photos of Israelis. Palestinians (and you) need to stop blaming Israel for the Palestinians plight. They are being USED by neighboring arab states to cause unrest in the region. And they are being used by their own corrupt leaders who provide no social services and who are only concerned with lining their own pockets and arming their own militias. THAT is the source of today's problems in Palestine, not Israel.

Damon Lynch		05-Jul-2007 16:41
A reply to the anonymous guest comment below: your reaction to these photos is interesting. It seems you are feeling distinctly uncomfortable in seeing images that portray Palestinians as simple human beings, much like yourself. So you attack me, and even go so far as to accuse me and the finest Catholic university in the U.S. of anti-semitism. Not only are these inflammatory statements completely false, if repeated often enough, they become meaningless and will eventually result in genuine cases of anti-semitism being ignored -- I'm sure you know the story "the boy who cried wolf".

Guest		05-Jul-2007 16:23
Gosh, the Palestinians are such nice, wonderful people! Why if they could only wipe the Jews off the map, just think how terrific the world would be! Your photos are biased, as you admit below with the remarks about not photographing palestinian gunmen. You don't mention that the Palestinians have governed themselves for years now, but only seem to be interested in killing Jews. If Palestinians are oppressed, it is fellow Palestinians doing the oppressing. But, that's better left unsaid, isn't it? Is this what passes for "peace studies" today? It used to be called anti-semitism.

Sameer m. Sakalla		22-May-2007 20:14
Thank u .......really you took me there,,,,,,,,

maryna		02-Apr-2007 08:26
Damon Don't you think the world should see the truth of the real Palestine.Why don't you put this in a book and it will be better known.I lived there and my heart is still in Palestin .Thanks for posting this as Palestine and not Israel.

Andy Chang		22-Feb-2007 21:53
This gallery is impressive; it reveals the endurance of an oppressed people who, despite the dehumanising conditions that confront them, have found ways to stay strong and positive. I'm especially touched by the pictures of the smiling children and the young woman from Abeer, whose beauty is beyond my words. May there be peace and freedom for the Palestinians. -- A Chang from Taiwan

Damon Lynch		14-Jan-2007 23:09
Dear "Guest" (a follow-up response to the comment immediately below this one) - I am not Arab; although I was born and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand my ancestors hail from various parts of Europe. Therefore compared to Ashkenazi nonreligious Jews, many Palestinians (religious and nonreligious) have a different outlook on life compared to my own upbringing. They are interesting to talk with and be with! Likewise, I find it valuable to talk to religious Jews, soldiers and even on occasion settlers. They are very interesting photographic subjects also! Furthermore, it is simply much easier for me to photograph Israeli soldiers and police. If I attempt to photograph men with guns or simply officials in uniform in the occupied West Bank or Gaza it arouses great suspicion that I am an Israeli spy who is identifying men who will later be arrested and / or killed by the Israeli army. To allay such suspicions I would need to build relationships with the men who control these forces -- I have never attempted to do so. For instance, consider this image:http://www.pbase.com/dflynch/image/53851754 The behind this image were various political parties at Arab American university. Some of them are extremist parties; some of their members have been killed or arrested by the Israeli army. I was specifically instructed not to photograph anyone in their offices. I hope this allays any concerns you may have that I have deliberately tried to portray Israel in a negative light compared to Palestine. For your information some nonreligious Turks have complained that I show mainly religious Turks in Turkey (you will see there is a lot of religious symbolism in my Istanbul gallery). If you are interested in more links to organizations doing human rights and peace work in Israel Palestine, you may consult this very comprehensive list: http://www.ipcri.org/files/links.html The site that provides these links is accessible at:http://www.ipcri.org

Guest		14-Jan-2007 22:15
Dear Damon a) What I was referring to was indeed the fact that you take interest in soldiers , ulthra-orthodox and symbols of extremism in one side of the conflict and in ordinary people on the the otherside. b)I am not interested in reading only the Israeli perspective on the history of the conflict. I am interested in reading information from sources with some sort of credibility and impartiality.

Damon Lynch		14-Jan-2007 18:11
Dear "Guest" (a response to the comment immediately below this one) - You suggest I portray Israel as a society of "ultra-orthodox Jews, settlers and soldiers". I tend to take photos of people I am interested to talk with or be around, and for me personally the most interesting people I found in Israeli society were the religious, soldiers, and on occasion the settlers. This is easy to explain - I have a deep interest in religion, the conflict, and peacebuilding. Soldiers are often interesting people to talk to; likewise the settlers. They are interesting not because they are somehow more special than people you identify more closely with, but because they are different from me. I regret I was not able to spend more time with Sephardic Jews -- while of course I feel perfectly at home talking with Ashkenazi Jews who live in places like Tel Aviv, I like to learn from people who live a life distinctly different to that I have lived. As for the links I previously provided in response to other comments, if you like to read only Israeli perspectives on the history of Israel and Palestine and the conflict, then to be honest I think you are doing yourself a disservice. Read widely with a critically inquiring mind and share these perspectives with your friends and colleagues in discussion!

Guest		14-Jan-2007 01:59
Dear Damon a) I think that John referrs to the links you included in one of your comments. Betzelem and Human Rights Watch are Israeli organizations aimed at acting as an inner conscience within the Israeli society. Their reporting is therefore by nature unbalanced as it is not aiming to give a verdict as to which side is the aggressor and which one is the victim but rather to make sure that red lines are not crossed during the daily struggle to maintain the security of Israel and its Jewish inhabitants. However, the third link you provided is aimed at vilifying the state of Israel and I have my doubts as to the truth in its report. The question to be asked is whether the inclusion of these links is at all appropriate in a gallery such as yours. b)Your photos are realy wonderful.They show the human face of Palestine and this is the beauty of your gallery. However, you seem to portrait Israel as a soceity of ultra-orthodox Jews, settlers and soldiers. There is very little of the ordinary, joyful, peace - seekig majority of this nation. Ever asked yourself why?

Richard Calmes		23-Nov-2006 22:41
You are a very talented photographer! These are excellent candids and portraits! V

Damon Lynch		21-Nov-2006 04:59
John N: provide evidence of my "anti-jewish political commentary" that I allegedly "so freely include". Provide evidence of my "anti-jewish diatribes". Perhaps you are confused by visitors to this site who, like you, leave their own opinions as to what they see. The only time I've ever deleted comments is when they have been used for romance purposes. I find the comments you have posted so far arrogant, ignorant and wrong, but I don't delete them.

John N		21-Nov-2006 04:38
Damon, I actually do enjoy your gallery. I think that you have taken some amazing photos, and showed the Palistinian People and society in a manner that we do not get the benefit of in the United States. However, I also think that you missed the mark by including comments that were not neutral at all in their political overtones. What makes this website so great is its lack of political orientation. Your photos should necessarily be posted without the anti-jewish political commentary that you so freely include. That sort of conduct really does give the impression that you are using this website as a forum for anti-jewish political agenda (Note: I did not use the term anti-semitic, since that is almost always used incorrectly. Arabs are also Semites). And, that is regardless of any other galleries you may have previously included with Israeli photos. You give the impression that you are a mouthpiece for the Palistinian cause. Are you being compensated for such by some Islamic organization? I emplore you to knock off the political commentary and just do what everyone else does on this website - post the pictures without biased political commentary. There are plenty of other websites out there that would welcome your anti-jewish diatribes. Just some food for thought... John N - A non-jewish, non-religious, secular person...

Damon Lynch		17-Nov-2006 23:27
Thanks for looking. I did not make it to Jabalya. I was in Gaza for only a brief time and my job was to focus on the Wadi Gaza. The photos in this gallery are all from 2005/06.

Guest		30-Oct-2006 18:38
Great pics Damon... how old are they? I haven't been there in eight years, but things look about the same. I have a question... did you not make it into Jabalya, or did you decline to post photographs on the grounds that they are too shocking. I wouldn't blame you if you did (i keep mine locked away so children will not accidentally see them). Going into that camp at the age of fifteen was a mistake... it was one of the formative and horrifying experiences of my life, imbuing me with a lifelong disgust for humanity. Though from what i understand, security is much tighter now than then... so may be you just weren't allowed into that particular charnel house.

Farah Shamsi		29-Sep-2006 12:12
some of the best photos i have ever seen.. you have an eye for life...innocence...sadness...irony...colour...texture... i am inspired and troubled. you have captured beauty in a troubled world.

Archiaston Musamma Family		23-Sep-2006 11:52
I enjoy your gallery that brought wide perspective

Rizwaan Sabir		16-Sep-2006 11:20
A truly astounding peice of photography displaying the realness of Palestine..very touching...

Guest		26-Aug-2006 18:12
There haven't been many galleries that have touched me like this one, so I thank you for the wonderful job you've done in capturing and presenting Palestinians in a human light...

John Ashley		22-Aug-2006 00:47
Great work !!! These are the pictures of truth

Marcel-Etienne		20-Aug-2006 14:51
Well said, Damon. Quite frankly, nothing in this gallery appears to be propaganda... unless the very act of showing the humanity of some Palestinians is considered to be one-sided, even when there is another gallery devoted to Israel. As for the reports of Btselem (true peace seeking Israelis, BTW), Human Rights Watch or Amnesty International being just "propaganda", quite frankly it is a ridiculous allegation.

Damon Lynch		20-Aug-2006 14:02
Furthermore, one additional reaction to the comment by the anonymous poster. You have simply no idea what work I've done in Israel / Palestine, who my contacts are, and so forth. Frankly I find your comment unwise and unnecessary.

Damon Lynch		20-Aug-2006 13:58
The anonymous poster below says I am spreading propagada via a comment I made below. That is a serious allegation. Fortunately it is completely unfounded. I provided both Israeli and Palestinian links. I encouraged readers to make up their own minds. As I said, there is plenty of propaganda on both sides. Incidentaly I have seen accounts of Palestinian women who claim they were sexually tortured while imprisoned in the 70s (they had been caught bombing civilians). Their recollections seem real enough to me, but do I know for certain they are true? No, of course not. This is what investigations are for. As John Paul Lederach has said, in any violent conflict there are four countervailing social energies: peace, justice, truth and mercy. The truth as to whether sexual violence has been a part of the conflict in this region must one day be told.

Guest		19-Aug-2006 19:43
The pictures are beautiful. However, i'm afraid Damon that you have indeed crossed the fine line between art and propaganda. The truth behind the links you so kindly included in your comment amounts more or less to the allegations of the "massacre" in Jenin, for an instance. While there were many awful things done by both sided(!!!) in this conflict, rape and sexual assualt is not part of them! The danger in falling into this traps set for you (this time by pro-palestinian propaganda) is that you completely lose any bridges you may have had to the hearts of peace seeking Israelies. But maybe you don't mind that...

Marcel-Etienne		18-Aug-2006 23:20
Nice and interesting gallery, Damon, often very moving. I'll be back. Many thanks for sharing. Voted :o)

Tashfeen Bokhary		29-Jun-2006 23:00
Damon, Loved your work... Beautiful people... Loved all the smiling children... Amazing people to go through their hard lives and yet be able to let go all that pain for that smile for the camera. And many thanks for keeping the balance. I hope that these people in their lives can see an end to the conflict.

Guest		29-Jun-2006 15:21
Excellent and important gallery. Thanks for putting these up.

Jaime Serrano		27-Jun-2006 21:24
Great and wondeful gallery. Congratulations. Voted.

Guest		25-Jun-2006 16:13
Fantastic gallery. It is good too see candid photos of 'normal people' in this part of the world.

Guest		24-Jun-2006 23:07
Bless you! A very beautiful gallery of pictures, I love that you captured the true spirit of the people as I have always believed it exists! I see amazing beauty through conflict, tremendous courage, laughter, joy, and love. Thank You.

Guest		21-Jun-2006 00:30
Damon, thank you very much for this gallery. As Cartier-Bresson put it: "Photography is nothing. I am interested in life". Your pictures transport us into the every day lives of this people who we share a world with. That is the highest praise I can think of. Your pictures are very honest.

Damon Lynch		19-May-2006 23:50
Thanks Dan. Some of the people in the photos I definitely talk to, because they are my friends ;-) In other cases we might have a brief talk or at least share a smile. Most of the time people know their photo is being taken. As for the conflict, yes while there are some fairly basic realities (e.g. Palestinians being a long occupied people without a state) both Palestinian and Israeli societies are complex. On both sides many people live in real fear for their future. On both sides there are extremists -- some in uniform or official office, some not. Likewise there are incredibly generous and courageous people who work very hard attempting to establish peace between the two peoples.

Dan		19-May-2006 21:08
I enjoyed your photographs very much. I really like seeing other parts of the world and people of other cultures. You really seem to be able to connect with the people you are photographing. Do you generally talk to them before you take their photos? BTW, my enjoyment of the photos is in no way a politcal statement. I admit I do not understand the conflict sufficiently to make any political statements. My guess is that there is enough blame for all.

Guest		04-May-2006 09:13
Very nice and interesting gallery, you let show us the Palestinians in a different point of view and I think that is good...thanks.

James		24-Apr-2006 18:07
Lovely photographes but I feel that there are not enough of the bad stuff to set a balanced overview.It's a little like humming a tune at a car wreck. James Le Bon.

Bryan Ramsay		20-Apr-2006 02:23
Damon, thank you for this beautiful gallery, its hard to experience an area with such diverse culture and political strife and not add some of the emotion of the area in your work. You've done a great job with your pictures reflecting on an area that has had turmoil for many centuries. Thanks for sharing. -BJ

Marc		26-Mar-2006 08:58
I really like these pictures. Chances are I'll never visit that part of the world and see someone face to face in their home. So these pictures really bring things right here so far away to experience. Thanks. Too bad people spend so much time on arguing over how certain people are evil because of their race or where they live though. It takes a shallow person to believe that because of those things the person is bad. I guess that is just a fact of life that people will never get it.

Eldar Kadymov		09-Mar-2006 22:01
I am simply stunned by first,- professionalism and great presentation of Palestine in this very dramatic gallery, and second,-by stupidity and tunnel vision of those who see something politically disturbing or propaganda here. For those I should say,- don't twist everything up side down and let artist do his fantastic work !

Damon Lynch		02-Jan-2006 18:27
Isaiah, Below you have claimed that I publish "anti-Israel" sites, and you identify them with what you call Arab propaganda. Your reasoning is unfortunate. First, I linked to sites, not published them. Second, I linked to a variety of sites -- local sites run by Israelis, Palestinians, and very reputable international organisations. Third, I suggested readers make up their own minds as to the authenticity of the reports and the credibility of the authors. Fourth, the term "anti-Israel" is especially problematic. Are you suggesting that I'm somehow against the state of Israel or its people? If so, you are implicating all human rights organisations and their staff as being against not only Israel but many countries in the world. All states need to improve the human rights records. Fifth, the conflict here as far from the worst on earth. Compared to worse conflicts, far fewer people have died and the socioeconomic conditions of people are relatively better off. Sixth, of course there is plenty of Arab propaganda, just as there is plenty of Israeli propaganda. I have seen enough of both. That it is why it is important to read widely and think critically. Finally, I believe in universal human rights for all. Do you?

Isaiah		02-Jan-2006 14:09
dear Damon - you are great photographer but ... when you publish anti-Israeli sites, you take part in worst conflict that exists on the earth. There are sites that will show the exact opposit of what the sites you published are showing. Believe me - the arab propaganda has a long history of lies. In 1967 for two days the world believed there is no more Israel. So don't be a part of this propaganda.

The Eye		27-Dec-2005 05:27
Well done.. captured Jeurosalem catching a short breath, on its inevitable march to an Armageddonian doom..

F Rim		24-Dec-2005 14:39
Wonderful gallery, just wonderful.

Ed		19-Dec-2005 18:05
An absolutely first class gallery of a standard rarely seen. I am amazed, awed and inspired by such great images, capturing life and encapsulating humanity so well. ReSpEcT Damon my friend. Ed.

Damon Lynch		11-Dec-2005 11:03
Comments on allegations of torture and rape have generated some discussion here. For those who are interested, here are some Palestinian and Israeli sources which deal with the issues on a systematic basis: B'Tselemhttp://www.btselem.org/ , The Palestinian Centre for Human Rightshttp://www.pchrgaza.org/ , The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Grouphttp://www.phrmg.org/ , and Women in Strugglehttp://www.womeninstruggle.com/ , a film in which Palestinian women who were captured contributing to terrorist acts give accounts of sexual torture by Israeli authorities. Internationally the two big groups are of course Human Rights Watchhttp://www.hrw.org/doc?t=mideast&c=isrlpa and Amnesty Internationalhttp://web.amnesty.org/library/eng-isr/index . Naturally not all of these sources will agree with one another on every point. Furthermore as in any conflict, outside critics contest their claims, and credibility comes from checking the authenticity of the reports. My personal belief is that a human rights based approach to the conflict by both sides promises a more just and sustainable peace than one attempted by violence.

Abba Richman		07-Dec-2005 20:48
Damon - these are very human images showing very real people. I am not surprised at the grossly ignorant and stupid comments that have been posted here, most of the nonsense about rape and murder from people who have never set foot here and are grossly ignorant about the Jewish Arab conflict. I live in an Israeli township (Efrat) and my house is 200 metres from the nearest neighbouring Arab village. Apart from two suicide bombers and four of our citizens murdered on the roads we live in relatively quiet. None of the citizens of the three arab vilages surrounding us has ever been raped or killed or harmed in any way. We have no fence separating us from our neighbours. Just a footnote, If I, as an Israeli orthodox Jewish photographer would walk around Jenin alone, you would find me in pieces. Just a simple fact of life. For all you google experts just pop in "British Mandate" "Jordan" "Palestine White Paper" "Israeli War of Independance" and get another view of this miserable conflict.

Wendy O		06-Oct-2005 18:56
Fascinating images, wonderful portraits. Thanks for sharing this.

sasha		19-Sep-2005 10:28
I hope that your pictures can help posters that Palestine do exists and ist's even inhabited by human beings. About sombody here talking about "Palestine [...] is part of Israel, like it or not", I'd like to point out that "like or not" is a violent sentence.

bex		09-Sep-2005 11:07
Gordie, The West Bank is internationally recognised as the "Occupied Palestinain Territories." Like it or not, it is Palestine, and like it or not, so is "Israel." Nationalism can be destructive. In this case, such names represent more than nationalism; they represent repression and a past and a present denied, which need to be accepted in order to achieve a common future. Bex

Jim Ross		24-Aug-2005 20:45
Great shots... Got my vote...

Guest		24-Aug-2005 19:49
beautiful pictures of a beautiful land. I vote alem

Damon Lynch		14-Aug-2005 12:00
Gordie: at this very moment I am wearing a red t-shirt with Turkish writing on the front and back. Does that somehow transform me into a Turk -- of course not. Why should the same apply to a Palestinian girl from Hebron? Who knows where she got the shirt from, but certainly she is Palestinian, and it is a nice looking shirt. It seems there are many beautiful children in Hebron. As to why I named this gallery Palestine, the reason is simple. One day in the future Palestinians and Israelis will know each others past, present and future, and they will know it with respect. Let us do what we can, making wise choices to contribute in our own way to a healthy and vibrant future for all.

Guest		14-Aug-2005 01:20
I'm quite disappointed in the fact that you labelled this gallery "Palestine" and have a gallery called "Israel"... Why not just Israel? Judea-Samaria (commonly known as "the West Bank") is part of Israel, like it or not! Btw, I liked your shot of the two girls, they are beautiful... and Jewish! the older one has Hebrew on her shirt...

Ghada		13-Aug-2005 13:46
Damon i think your pictures are great..they are just what you see and how you feel.it is a Great work for someone who has never been here before...all pictures carry feelings that are hard to talk about and for me as someone who is living here i may see things you couldn't see but you were able to show and to bring them out...keep going Damon. Ghada.

Guest		08-Jul-2005 17:54
Superb photos! It is rare to see Palestinians portrayed as human beings with depth and dimension. Typically, they are grouped and labled by the media as barbaric. Wonderful work!

Guest		07-Jul-2005 12:49
The reality is that one lot of people invaded another people's land -- that is an indisputable fact. And it's funny how it's always easier for the perpetrator to expect peace and calm from his victim. I'm sure there is beauty even inside the worst butchers and murders -- but you're right: it's not the first thing we see.

Guest		07-Jul-2005 12:07
TO M: I I was sorry to read that you found a sound of a "thinly veiled threat" in my comment. Reading your comment I can understand the depth of hatered you are writting from. Hate is a powerful veil which can often make it difficult to see the reality as it is. It also makes it difficult to others to see your beauty and there is beauty in all of us. I also feel and hope that it is not where this gallery is coming from as there is a lot of love and beauty seen through the lens here. The conflict in the land of Israel/Palestine is a sensitive issue and all I can say again is that we sould all be very careful with what we say. The last thing the people who live there need is hateful incitement.

Guest		07-Jul-2005 08:54
'Abra' (whoever you are), thanks for the advice/thinly veiled threat which I shall duly ignore. I see from your profile that you did not join this community to post any photos, so are you here to take pot shots from hiding, like an IDF sniper? Well, sorry to disappoint you, but we're not kids here. And talking of rape, just put "sharon+shabila" into Google and see for yourself. BTW, I like "Gas the Arabs" photo; it's interesting what lessons have been learned from history... And Damon, thanks for the title: Palestine. Not 'Palestinian Territory', 'Disputed Land' or any of the usual mainstream media propaganda terminology. Thank you for the tribute to an opressed people.

Guest		06-Jul-2005 21:46
to osprey: "...pictures of Arabs who were raped..." (??!!!) You may accuse Israel of many sins. This one however has no grounds! One should be very careful while commenting on such sensetive topics. Great gallery by the way.

Patrick DEBETENCOURT		06-Jul-2005 15:30
Hi Damon ! You offer us a great collection of pictures in this gallery ! We can have a look in the real life of that country. Thanks for sharing. Patrick

Guest		05-Jul-2005 18:30
Excellent work Damon. It's nice to see through a different window sometimes rather than what the media offers.

Rob Oele		05-Jul-2005 11:30
Just great work , atristic and with a lot of feeling and involvemnet. Rob

Guest		05-Jul-2005 02:28
I think you did very nice work this gallery, I especially like "Woman praying". I vote!

osprey		02-Jul-2005 03:51
Guest wrote: ""I would like to see some photos of Israeli-Jews following a homicide bombing and the devestation that follows. Otherwise, your photos are extremely self-serviing and biased."" Would you also like to see photos of Arabs who were murdered, raped and forced of their land by Jews at the inception of Israel? Nice gallery, thanks for sharing

Shannon		01-Jul-2005 17:16
The Guest is a coward, sign you name! I enjoyed seeing a human face on something I hear about in the news and think of as OVER THERE! Regardless of religon they are people who like us get up everyday and do their best. THANK YOU for you pictures.

Guest		01-Jul-2005 14:23
Great Work!!

Damon Lynch		30-Jun-2005 14:02
In response to the anonymous poster (below) who has criticised me for being biased, I'd like to point out that I can't be everywhere at once, and that these photos represent the reality I have experienced thus far in Palestine. All of these images are of real-life situations. When I come across examples of violence against Israelis I will photograph that too. Like most people I totally condemn in the strongest possible terms the violence of suicide bombings and other terrorist acts. Likewise, Palestinians should not be tortured, killed and imprisoned in their land. They want and deserve freedom, as do Israelis. I look forward to the day where Israelis and Palestinians live side-by-side in a just peace. Meanwhile, please visit this site again in the future for a bigger selection of photos from Israel, as well as Palestine, and let us all work for peace, truth and justice.

Guest		26-Jun-2005 16:47
I would like to see some photos of Israeli-Jews following a homicide bombing and the devestation that follows. Otherwise, your photos are extremely self-serviing and biased.

John Filson		21-Jun-2005 20:29
Damon, these are GREAT!

Rejane		16-Jun-2005 13:08
Damon, your pictures are great as always. I feel as I am there with you. You have a special way to look at things and you show it through your pictures. Congratulations!

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