With every migration, millions of birds fly over Palestine, a vital corridor for hundreds of species travelling between Africa, Europe and Asia. They fly over Palestinians in the “largest open-air prison” in Gaza – besieged by land, sea and air since 2007 and now the target of genocide – and Palestinians living under occupation, apartheid and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank.

Across Palestine, birds build nests in the holes of bombed-out buildings, on the roofs of checkpoints and on the eaves of watchtowers. They fly over the concrete walls that fragment the territory and perch on the barbed wire that segregates and confines the Palestinian population.

Despite the violence, oppression and restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation, Palestinians continue to look up to admire the birds crossing the sky and to dream of freedom.

In Gaza, twins Lara and Mandy Sirdah persist in birdwatching, even during the genocide. In November 2023, they were evicted from their home by the Israeli army, but continued to publish photographs and maintain a list of birds sighted whilst displaced in the southern Gaza Strip.

In the occupied West Bank, Palestinian photographers Mohamad Shuaibi, Saed Shomali and Bashar Jarayseh birdwatch in defiance of the suffocating restrictions imposed by the occupation and Israeli colonial violence.

Sinaa Ababseh, a descendant of Palestinians who survived the ethnic cleansing of Palestine in 1948 and managed to remain on their land in Galilee, photographs birds as a way of staying connected to her land and of celebrating the beauty and biodiversity around her.

What do migratory birds mean to a people living under occupation, ethnic cleansing, apartheid and genocide? How does one protect life when surrounded by death and destruction? How does one care for the environment in one of the most devastated territories in the world?

This exhibition presents photographs taken by Palestinians who see birds as messengers of hope. They fly over the besieged territory to show that it is still possible to live freely and to break through the boundaries imposed by the occupation with their wings.

For Mohamad Shuaibi, the aim of these images is to show another side of Palestine. “It’s not just death and bombings. There are people who care about wildlife, even when they are deprived of everything,” he says. “There is life here. And we love life.”

Lara and Mandy Sirdah

Identical twin sisters, born in Gaza in 1976. With degrees in Sociology, they worked for over two decades with a non-governmental organisation supporting deaf people in Gaza. Since 2014, they have dedicated themselves to documenting wildlife, particularly the migratory birds that cross the skies of Palestine. Their photographs have been exhibited in various galleries and cultural centres, and published in numerous scientific articles and publications. In 2019, they received an award from the “Lady of the Earth – Palestine” Foundation. They share their knowledge and passion for nature on social media, where they post photographs of the birds they encounter in Gaza and sign language videos on biodiversity and conservation.

Mohamad Shuaibi

A nature photographer from Deir Ghassaneh in the occupied West Bank, he has been documenting the birds, mammals and reptiles of Palestine for over a decade. He focuses primarily on photographing rare species and recording the natural behaviour of animals. He sees his passion for environmental photography as an opportunity to learn and to share the beauty of Palestine. He has documented over 175 species of birds and 20 mammals in the region.

Saed Shomaly

From Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, he works in the field of conservation and environmental protection, having participated in various projects dedicated to wildlife conservation and the promotion of environmental awareness. His work combines field research, scientific studies and collaborations with local and international organisations, with the aim of promoting sustainable development and protecting endangered species. His work highlights the importance of birds and seeks to strengthen the connection between people and the environment in Palestine.

Bashar Jarayseh

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Bethlehem in Palestine and a Master’s degree in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics from the University of Munich. He is currently a PhD researcher in the Department of Ornithology at the Max Planck Institute, also in Germany. His research focuses on behavioural ecology, movement ecology and the dynamics of bird migration. In addition to his scientific work, he is actively involved in conservation and environmental advocacy, dedicating himself to raising awareness and protecting birds in Palestine and beyond.

Sinaa Ababseh

Born in Kafr Kanna, in Galilee, she is a wildlife photographer and mother of three children. She works in the fields of education, social counselling and support for children with learning difficulties. From an early age, she developed a deep connection with nature, which became her main source of inspiration. She began her journey in wildlife photography after taking part in the 3rd Iris Faqqu’a Festival in 2019. Since then, she has dedicated herself to documenting the beauty and diversity of the natural world.

He has taken part in various events and exhibitions, including the Palestine Conference on Biodiversity and Sustainability (Belém, 2022), and exhibitions in Deir Hanna and Istanbul, Turkey. His work seeks to highlight Palestine’s biodiversity and promote environmental awareness through photography

Side Programme

24 JAN, 4pm Opening

4pm Conversation with Palestinian artists

25 JAN, 8.30am Birdwatching in City Park

Meeting Point: Environmental Education Centre

in City Park

28 JAN, 6pm Guided tour by Palestinian photographers

30 JAN, 9.30pm Poetry reading

07 FEB, 5pm Discussion with Pedro Levi Bismarck

Photographs in Gaza: Lara and Mandy Sirdah

In the West Bank: Mohamad Shuaibi, Saed Shomali and Bashar Jarayseh

In Galilee: Sina Ababseh

Videos: Saed Shomaly

Texts: Marta Vidal

MIRA Galleries

Directed by: Manuela Matos Monteiro and João Lafuente