18th November 2013 | International Solidarity Movement, Maria del Mar Fernandez | Gaza, Occupied Palestine
We attended a photography exhibition last Wednesday in besieged Gaza City. There were many, many pictures, some of which we photographed. I wish were as much of an an artist as the children, between nine and 16 years old, who shot the originals. They were there, among the public, and I was able to talk to some of them. They told me that they, themselves, had chosen what they wanted 
to express. The black and white photography reflected how life is going in Gaza well. Yet there were many cheerful photos. I was moved as I wandered about among the scores of people at the exhibition. The children watched eagerly for our reactions and comments. I really would have liked to photograph all of them, or to spend more time there. It was amazing. Initiatives like this encourage children to overcome the great difficulties they face in their daily lives under occupation and siege, and under the permanent fear that Israel may launch another military offensive against them.
