Uprooting History

Aisha Mershani was bom in Las Vegas, Nevada, to an American Jewish mother and a Moroccan Muslim father. The Occupied Palestinian Territories has been the main subject of Aisha Mershani’s work since 2003. They have photographed military checkpoints, popular demonstrations, house demolitions, destroyed villages, and the daily lives of Palestinians living under the violence of the lsraeli occupation. These photographs, which cannot be seen in mainstream media, expose the reality of life in the West Bank by highlighting the Palestinian popular struggle and the steadfastness of the Palestinian people who nonviolently resist lsraeli violence daily to remain on their land. Aisha’s work comes from a place of concern about the injustices occurring in the Middle East, and a commitment to expose these injustices and educate those outside of the region. The expression of everyday life is the primary objective of their documentary photographic work. The photograph Uprooting History was taken in Biddu, Occupied Palestinian Territory in 2004 and documents the lsraeli destruction of Palestinian olive trees. Since 1967 it is estimated that over 850,000 olive trees have been illegally uprooted by lsraeli settlers and authorities. OIive trees have been cultivated in Palestine for thousands of years and many of the uprooted ones date centuries. Due to its longevity and capacity to grow in harsh conditions, the olive tree is viewed by many Palestinians as a symbol of nationality and an attachment to the land.