Special Exhibits

In Arabic, there are two words that mean "resistance." One refers to armed resistance, while the other signifies a different kind of resistance—one where, no matter how many times you are struck down, you rise again and refuse to back down, standing firm no matter what. This is called "Sumud."In 2005, Juliano Mer-Khamis, an actor with both Jewish and Palestinian roots, visited the Utoro district. When he signed a signboard in Utoro, he wrote this word, "Sumud." The signboard in Utoro carried messages such as "Utoro is our home," "Even if bulldozers come, we will stay here," and "We will live here, and we will die here." Reflecting on these words, Juliano said, "How many times have I heard the same words from the first-generation refugees in the Jenin refugee camp? This is Sumud. Knowing that there are people in Japan fighting the same fight as us gives us courage and strengthens our resolve."