I Grant You Refuge

What do you do when you turn on the news, read the papers, or scroll through social media and find a heartbreaking picture or video of the ongoing genocide of the Palestinians — look away? Be enraged? Perhaps, sad? A new group exhibition featuring six photojournalists on the ground, titled I Grant You Refuge, and curated by Paolo Patruno, aims at making people more conscious about what’s going on in Palestine. Six photographers (Jihad Al-Sharafi, Mahdy Zourob, Mohammed Hajjar, Omar Naaman, Saeed Mohammed Jaras, and Shadi Al-Tabatibi) that bring humanity back to a folk that’s constantly and cruelly dehumanised in mass media.

The ongoing Palestinian genocide at the hands of Israel and the complicit Western states started way before October 7th. The struggle of the native people in the region started with the first Nakba back in 1947, when at least 750,000 Palestinians from a 1.9 million population were made refugees beyond the borders of the state. From then until today, the apartheid regime of the Zionist state of Israel has continuously murdered, tortured, incarcerated, raped, and tried to annihilate the Palestinian folk. But still, they resist.

With the ceasefire deal reached a few days ago that, to nobody’s surprise, Israel has violated every single day, the struggle of the Palestinians continues. They were ‘allowed’ to go ‘back home’ after over a year of incessant terror, carpet bombing, and massive destruction of their land, housing, and general infrastructures. So basically, there’s nowhere to go back to. But the Palestinians still have hope and resilience in them. At least, that’s what the four photographers that we interview today convey to us.

The exhibition I Grant You Refuge, titled after a poem by Hiba Abu Nada, is currently on view at the Badia Fiesolana, from the European University Institute (Italy) until the 15th of March. After that, it will also travel to other locations and photo festivals including Castellanza’s Europhotofestival (March 15th to April 27th), Reggio Emilia’s Fotografia Europea (April 24th to May 11th), and Padova’s International Month of Photojournalism (May 16th to June 15th). So if you’re nearby, make sure to visit. In the meantime, here are the testimonies of four photojournalists covering the horrors happening in real time.

The show takes its name from a poem written by the late Hiba Abu Nada. What about that poem was so striking/important that you decided to use it as a main title?

Paolo Patruno: At the time to decide the possible title of the exhibition, and after having reviewed many options, I thought of asking for support and suggestions to a Palestinian poet/writer. When I started the research, the first result was the poem by Hiba Abu Nada. It was enough to read the first lines of I Grant You Refuge to understand that I had to name the exhibition after this poem, since the verses describe what the photos of the exhibition aim to tell through images:

“… the little ones who
change the rocket’s course
before it lands
with their smiles
Their mothers’ tears are now doves
following them, trailing behind
every coffin
the little ones’ father who holds the house upright
when it tilts after the bombs…”

After over a year of ongoing genocide, what is the most important thing you’ve learned about yourselves and the Palestinians?

Jehad Al-Sharafi: As a photojournalist, I’ve learned that capturing the Palestinian struggle is not just about documenting pain — it’s about showing resilience, humanity, and the unwavering spirit of my people. I’ve discovered the power of images to preserve stories that others might try to erase, and it’s reinforced my responsibility to ensure the truth is seen.
Mahdy Zourob: I’ve learned that, as Palestinians, we possess immense resilience, even in the darkest of circumstances. I’ve seen that Palestinians are not just victims but symbols of strength, creativity, and dignity. As for myself, I discovered that I have a greater ability than I thought to use my photography as a tool to convey the truth and share the voices of the oppressed with the world.
Mohammed Hajjar: I think the most important thing I learned about myself is that you can give up a lot of the luxuries and comforts in your normal life. As for the Palestinians, they are a people who are adept at clinging to life in many unimaginable ways.
Shadi Al-Tabatibi: What I’ve learned is that Palestinians are not just victims — we are symbols of resilience and steadfastness. Despite the suffering, we always find incredible strength to keep going, whether through art, words, or hope for freedom. Personally, I’ve discovered that photography is my weapon to document the truth and resist erasure.

In your daily fight for survival and against the erasure at the hands of Israel and the West (US and Europe), what would you say is one of the things you struggle the most with?

Jehad Al-Sharafi: One of my greatest struggles is ensuring that my work cuts through global apathy and counters the bias in mainstream narratives. It’s challenging to see my images misinterpreted or manipulated, and I constantly fight to reclaim the truth of what my lens captures.
Mahdy Zourob: The biggest struggle is sometimes feeling powerless in the face of the immense suffering we endure as Palestinians. There is also the challenge of delivering the truth amidst the overwhelming misinformation and media bias attempting to distort our reality. Additionally, accessing resources and continuing my work amid the destruction is a constant battle.
Mohammed Hajjar: The things that made me fight for the most were my small family (my son Majd, my daughter Majdal, and my wife Enas), in addition to the fact that the Palestinian cause is a just cause that deserves fighting for.
Shadi Al-Tabatibi: One of the biggest challenges is feeling powerless against the global media machine that tries to reshape the truth and present a distorted image of us. We’re not just fighting occupation — we’re fighting narratives that aim to erase our identity.

The exhibition is going to travel to different cities. Do you expect the images to have an impact on the audience that will somehow help the Palestinian fight? Do you believe in the power of art?

Jehad Al-Sharafi: I do believe in the power of art and photography to evoke empathy and action. When images are displayed in new contexts, they can disrupt comfort zones, challenge indifference, and humanise a struggle that might feel distant to some. I hope this exhibition inspires audiences to engage more deeply and take meaningful steps to support justice for Palestinians.
Mahdy Zourob: Absolutely, I believe in the power of art to change perspectives. Photographs can reach places words cannot. I am confident that seeing the realities through these images will create greater awareness of our suffering and may inspire people to act or stand in solidarity with us. Art is a universal language and a profound means of human connection.
Mohammed Hajjar: Yes! I believe in art, art is a real message that everyone can see and feel. The pictures that came out of Gaza played a big role in the solidarity of free people with the Palestinian cause.
Shadi Al-Tabatibi: Absolutely, I believe in the power of art. Images have the unique ability to transcend borders and languages, delivering the truth in a deeply emotional and human way. I expect the photos to spark questions and open the eyes of many who might not have been exposed to our true story.

The West seems numb to the harsh pictures; many prefer to look away or, sadly, have become too used to seeing tragedies on their screens that nothing seems to be ‘strong’ enough. How do you navigate that as an image-maker?

Jehad Al-Sharafi: As an image-maker, I aim to capture not just the tragedy but also the strength and humanity within the story. I focus on moments of resilience, joy, and survival to provide a more holistic perspective. By creating images that are both visually compelling and emotionally rich, I hope to break through the desensitisation and create lasting impressions.
Mahdy Zourob: This is a significant challenge, but I focus on storytelling that highlights the human side behind the numbers and news reports. I believe that images carrying messages of hope or showcasing daily life amidst the struggle can have a stronger impact. I also use social media platforms to amplify the reach of these images, aiming to engage a wider audience.
Mohammed Hajjar: In the world of photojournalism, I know that many photos are not well received by the public because they may be somewhat harsh or unpleasant, so I usually try to make my photos distinctive, with a human character that touches the heart and mind, and expresses the event without violent scenes.
Shadi Al-Tabatibi: I always aim to create images that are not only powerful but also deeply human — images that make viewers pause and reflect. My goal is to reveal the lives and stories behind these photos, because when people truly see our humanity, it becomes harder for them to remain indifferent.

Having hope for the future is a choice in such a situation. How do you stay hopeful when looking around?

Jehad Al-Sharafi: My hope comes from the power of storytelling. Every time my photos spark a conversation or open someone’s eyes to the reality on the ground, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. Hope also lies in the courage of those I photograph — their determination to keep living and resisting inspires me to continue documenting their stories.
Mahdy Zourob: I stay hopeful by seeing the determination and hope in the eyes of the people around me, especially children. Despite everything, there are always small stories of resilience and hope that inspire me. Moreover, my belief in the justice of our cause gives me the strength to continue documenting the truth and working toward a better future.
Mohammed Hajjar: Many times I have faced certain death, many times I have lost hope, but whenever I look around and find my family by my side, I go back to continue living for them. Yes, there is a lot of death and destruction around me, but this country is our country and we must not lose hope for the sake of future generations.
Shadi Al-Tabatibi: Hope is not just a choice; it’s a necessity. I find hope in the resilience of my people, in the laughter of my children, and in every instance of global solidarity with our cause. Hope is what fuels my determination to keep fighting.

Documenting the (Still Ongoing) Palestinian Genocide