Through the eyes of a Palestinian child, members of Jenin’s Freedom Theatre perform the story of popular struggle in Nabi Saleh.
Text and photos by Keren Manor/Activestills.org
Members of “The Freedom Theatre” perform a scene about the spring that was confiscated by the settlers of the nearby illegal settlement of “Halamish.” In December 2009, the residents of Nabi Saleh and the neighboring village of Dier Nidham started demonstrations against confiscations of their land by the Israeli army and settlers. The protests have continued to take place every week since then.
On Saturday, May 4, 2013, members of “The Freedom Theatre” performed a play based on stories and testimonies from children of the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh. The play tells the story of the village’s resistance, through the eyes of a young Palestinian child. The first show was performed in the village’s cultural center. The performance was dedicated to Mustafa and Rushdi Tamimi, two Palestinians from Nabi Saleh who were shot to death by Israeli soldiers during demonstrations against the occupation.
An actor plays a Palestinian child, telling the story of his village.
Actors during the play.
A scene portraying Israeli soldiers raiding the house of a Palestinian family in the village.
Children from the village watch the play.
A scene portraying the death of Mustafa Tamimi. Mustafa was shot in the face at close range with a tear gas canister by Israeli soldiers on December 9, 2011.
Members of “The Freedom Theater” improvising a scene with a Palestinian girl telling her story during a play.
The audience applauds the “Freedom Theater” actors at the end of the play.