The iconic Watermelon flag, designed by Khaled Hourani, has become a symbol of resistance activated in demonstrations and by cultural institutes. While the flag was our most popular product this year, numerous other designs have been acquired by people globally. Many comrades used them as political statements, and several organisations presented (and sold) the items, empowering the embedded narratives. We were grateful for the overwhelming volume of orders we received, fostering continued conversations about Palestine.

This allowed us to invest further in production and support Palestinian artisans and designers in their livelihoods. In some instances, this became their primary source of income, as local work has been adversely affected and hindered. It affirmed the vital nature of solidarity work and underscored our role as cultural workers to foster networks and infrastructures. The following outlines how we were committed to this in 2023 by making, learning and sharing.

Making

Two new designs were added to our collection. The first one is the dysfunctional sand-clock ‘Palestime’. Abu Marwan from the Jaba Glass Factory produced it, and designer Jessica Azizeh developed it based on a prototype made by Andreas Drosdz, Kareem Khalid, Shireen Salman, Silke Groffy and Zaide Kutay (summer school 2019). In May, we visited Abu Marwan in his family-run factory.

In Gaza, before everything changed, designer Ibrahim Muhtadi developed the cross-stiched ‘Watermelon Wallet’. This coin purse is inspired by the watermelon flag of Khaled Hourani and produced by groups of women in the refugee camps. It was a popular item, and we ordered more twice; the last order arrived in September in our studio. On the 8th of October, we heard that the studio of Ibrahim Muhtadi, in the centre of Gaza City, was bombed and entirely destroyed. All his designs, tools and memories were turned into rubble by the Israeli Occupation Forces.

As the situation worsened in the Westbank, our partners faced increasing violations, including extremely poor access to local mobility between the cities and villages. With international orders, they could continue their production, and we invested in the production of Leaf Behind rings and earrings in Bethlehem, ceramics and keffiyehs in Hebron, and more glass production in Jaba Village. Meanwhile, in Gaza Camp in Jordan, the artisans continued the production of the Lullaby blanket and the Maisa Apron. What we do is very humble, though it helps to support the livelihoods of the different artisans in these dire times.

Learning

Throughout the year, we initiated different workshops and engaged in academic settings on the overlap of design, storytelling, resistance and solidarity. Highlights include the workshop ‘uncommonsessions’ that we developed with the students of the Birzeit University (with the faculties of Design and Architecture) and the ‘infrastructures for solidarity’ workshop at Pianofabriek Brussels. After the 7th of October, we joined numerous solidarity gatherings to foster learning about Palestine.

Sharing

Throughout the year, on many occasions, we were invited to present our products, often along with critical conversations. Many people and organisations expressed solidarity by waving the Watermelon flag. And so did we on demonstrations calling for a ceasefire, to end the genocide and demanding an end to the occupation.

Studio

This year, we got a new logo designed by Michael Jabardeen, a great designer, illustrator and tutor – he used to host different courses at our community place, Hosh Jalsa in Birzeit. We LOVE the square-shaped iconic image he designed based on the abbreviation of our name in Arabic.

Important news is that we became an official member of the Belgium Fairtrade Federation, which proves how our products and processes are based on fair trade principles. Middle East Eye honoured our work with a compelling article. We published an academic piece on the meaning of Disarming Design in Forum+, the peer-reviewed magazine for artistic research in Flanders and the Netherlands.

We were overwhelmed by the number of orders we received this year, allowing us to invest in more collaboration with artisans. Many volunteers helped us label and pack these orders. In particular, we thank Lucia Mansueto and Jessica Aziezeh for their enriching contribution as interns. We welcome Sulaiman Saleh as coordinator for DDfP in Belgium. Aya Abu Gazahalah followed up the production in Jordan with true dedication. We honour the work of Mohamed Abusal, who coordinated the production in Gaza with an excellent eye for detail. Our hearts and thoughts are with him, Ibrahim Muhtadi, their families, and communities who are currently in Gaza in devastating situations. We have no words; the embedded trauma of the new Nakba is growing on all of us, and the anger is unfolding in our souls. Enough is enough with the injustice carried from one generation to the next.

In our studio, we keep investing in ways to turn solidarity into action. We do that by supporting thought-provoking designs from Palestine and joining networks, activists and all those who speak up and advocate for a free Palestine. We invite you to join our journey in 2024 by visiting our events, purchasing products, sharing their stories, supporting our work with a donation or being active as a volunteer.

In solidarity,
the Disarming Design team 2023