Keys of Return

This documentary photography project captures life in Dheisheh, the second-largest refugee camp on the outskirts of Bethlehem, home to 15,000 Palestinians. Established in 1948 for refugees displaced during the Arab-Israeli war, Dheisheh has evolved into a permanent settlement, where many families still hold onto keys as symbols of their right to return. The project documents the daily struggles under Israeli occupation, including restricted water access and frequent military incursions. Through powerful portraits and scenes of the camp’s brick homes, street art, and resilient families, the work offers an intimate look at the realities faced by Palestinian families like Ibrahim’s, who endure the ongoing threats of displacement.

Ibrahim, a 40-year-old resident and son of a refugee, his wife Aya, and their three children are central to this narrative. Their story offers a personal lens into the realities of life in the camp, as they navigate the ever-present threat of arrests and incursions by Israeli Security Forces. Through intimate portraits and evocative scenes, this project provides a poignant and visual exploration of the resilience of Palestinian families in the West Bank.