OM ( أُمّ, Mother) is a collaborative photography project by the women of eight Palestinian families in the Tel Rumeida district in Hebron and photographer Barbara Debeuckelaere. Hebron and specifically Tel Rumeida is a kind of microcosm of the West Bank, home to some of the most radical settlers. The daily physical and verbal violence against the Palestinian population remains unpunished. With cameras in hand, the Palestinians show the outside world what is happening there. 

With small, analog cameras, almost 50 women took images of their city, homes and family in September last year, just before the extreme violence broke out in Gaza. Collectively, these photos provide an intimate and intuitive portrait of their family life in the midst of violence and fear. They show the unpredictable character of the analogue, the light leaks, the mistakes, and embody the warm atmosphere of their homes but also the fact that these women have very little control over politics. Artist and activist Adam Broomberg calls it ‘a benevolent whisper’ in his text for the book. 'OM is a work of love and joy and resistance. 

Softcover, 320pp, 115 × 165 mm
The Eriskay Connection
2023