Unveiling of the Mural 'Woman, Life, Freedom'; Hooman Khalili: Israel is the Only Middle Eastern Country Standing with Iranian Freedom-Seeking Women

Hooman Khalili, an Iranian-American artist, unveiled a new mural in the city of 'Safad' in northern Israel, featuring images of four Iranian and Israeli women who were killed or injured by the Islamic Republic and Hamas, a Palestinian group supported by the Iranian government. This work is part of the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' mural series created by Khalili in recent months to support the freedom-seeking struggles of Iranian women and highlight the historical connection between Iranians and Jews, in several cities in Israel and the state of California. The mural depicts Sahar Saidiān and Shirel Hayimpour, Israeli soldiers of Iranian descent killed during Hamas attacks on Israel, Mahsa Amini, a symbol of the recent nationwide protests in Iran, and Elaheh Tavakolian, who lost the sight of one eye due to gunfire from the Islamic Republic's security forces during these protests. The mural also features the slogan 'Woman, Life, Freedom' as a protest cry against the oppression of women in English, Hebrew, and Persian, along with the phrase 'Women of the World Rise' in English. Hooman Khalili stated to VOA, 'I want to show that the Jews of Israel stand with the women of Iran. These images honor two Jews killed during the Hamas terrorist attack and the brave Iranian women fighting against the oppressive regime of the Islamic Republic, and they also represent the deep bond and love between the people of Iran and Israel.' He pointed out that the images of these four women show that the Islamic Republic kills or blinds women inside Iran, while its proxy groups like Hamas kill Iranian-descended women outside of the country, in Israel. The unveiling of this new mural took place amidst the ongoing violent repression of Iranian women by the Islamic Republic and the battle between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza, which is supported by the Iranian government. Despite the historical friendship between Iranians and Jews, the Islamic Republic recently attacked Israel with over 300 drones and missiles, which was unsuccessful but marked an unprecedented direct targeting of the country. Hooman Khalili elaborated on his murals, the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' project, and their features. When asked why he chose these women for his mural, he explained that Mahsa Amini is the face of the women's revolution in Iran, being a Kurdish girl killed in the custody of the morality police. He emphasized that the Islamic Republic finances the Palestinian group Hamas, wanting to show that Iranian women are killed not only in Iran but also outside of it, even in Israel. He noted that Sahar Saidiān and Shirel Hayimpour, Israeli women of Iranian descent, were killed by Hamas in Israel, which receives funding, ammunition, and training from the Islamic Republic. Khalili felt it was important to include two Persian Jewish women in this work, as there are about 15 million Jews worldwide, with 500,000 being Persian Jews. He also wanted to honor not only the deceased but also included Elaheh Tavakolian, a woman who was blinded in one eye by the Islamic Republic. He aimed to show religious diversity in this mural located in one of Israel's religious cities and to pay tribute to both the deceased and living heroes. Khalili, who resides in San Francisco, California, helped create the first mural in this area, which received a warm reception on social media. Two Israeli women played a role in advancing this project in Israel; Emily Schrader, a journalist and human rights activist who loves the Iranian people, and Flor Hassan Nahum, the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, who became acquainted with the project online. They invited him to Israel, expressing their desire to show the world that Israelis and Jews stand with the freedom-seeking women of Iran. Khalili, who grew up in a church and loves Jesus Christ, was excited for the opportunity to do something in Israel. Thanks to God, 26 days after meeting these two Israeli women, the first mural in Israel, featuring images of Mahsa, Sarina, Angel, and Nika, was erected in Jerusalem. Over the past 16 months, he has successfully created 12 murals in Israel and two in California, with the first work unveiled in January 2023 in San Francisco and the latest mural recently raised in Safad. The feedback has been incredible, as these murals are the only wall paintings supporting Iranian women in the Middle East. There are no other wall works in Afghanistan, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Iraq. Israel is the only country in the Middle East standing with the freedom-seeking women of Iran. It seems that Iranians appreciate it every time a mural goes up in Israel, and Israeli media has provided good coverage of this project, which he feels has an impact on reducing anti-Semitism. His goal is to create a total of 18 murals, so he still has four more to go. When he started this project, he knew he was going to create 18 murals but never thought he would succeed, yet now he can see the finish line and is very excited. Regarding the historical connection between Iranians and Jews, Khalili noted that many people ask him why he creates these murals in Israel. He emphasized that having murals in the Middle East is very important, stating that while it is wonderful for them to be in America, Canada, Australia, or Europe, having a mural in the Holy Land is like an atomic bomb. He referenced Prince Reza Pahlavi's visit to Israel in April 2023, where he stated that the relationship between Iran and Israel dates back to biblical times. Khalili affirmed that this is indeed true, as the relationship between Iranians and Jews has lasted for three thousand years, with animosity lasting less than 50 years. He believes it is time for all Iranians and all Persians around the world to work together to rebuild the bridge between Iran and Israel. Hooman Khalili creates these murals in cities in Israel with the help of local artists, utilizing ancient, national, and religious concepts from both Iranians and Jews in his designs, striving to build a bridge between the people of Iran and Israel. Cities in Israel where the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' murals have been created include Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Nazareth, Netanya, Ma'ale Adumim, and Haifa. Hooman Khalili was born in Tehran and left Iran with his mother shortly before the 1979 revolution. He began a new life with the support of the Protestant Church in Northern California and converted to Christianity. This Iranian-American artist has not returned to Iran but has maintained his love for the culture, art, and people of his homeland, viewing the Islamic Republic as the greatest supporter of terrorism and an enemy of its own people.