Last night (March 15), photographer Harley Weir announced the new project Freedom 4 Palestine with an image of Mia Khalifa cradling a watermelon slice, a soft, beaded veil covering her face. To raise funds for Palestinians affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Weir and Khalifa have teamed up with Aries Arise, digitally printing the image onto a cotton tee, on sale for £75. 100 per cent of the proceeds will be donated directly to on-the-ground grassroots organisations in Palestine, such as Addameer, Islamic Relief UK, The Ghassan Abu Sittah Children’s Fund.
Also on sale are two lithographic print posters for £25, one of the original image and a second close-up of Khalifa’s fist held up in solidarity, pieces of watermelon oozing from between her fingers. A separate third image of Khalifa holding the watermelon completes the project, a one of one polaroid that is currently up for auction on the Freedom 4 Palestine website.
Both Weir and Khalifa have been supporters of the Palestinian cause since the conflict began. Weir has contributed work to Pictures for Palestine, a photographic print sale that has raised over £450,000 for humanitarian agencies in Gaza, while Khalifa has constantly advocated for the basic human rights of the Palestinian people.
To purchase the prints, t-shirt, or bid on the Polaroid, head to Freedom 4 Palestine’s website here.