In this sprawling embroidery piece, against my stitched backdrop of mountains and valleys, hills and fields, emerges a story of resistance. For countless generations, Palestinians have foraged for and harvested the fruits of their land, from the naturally growing tumble thistle (Akkoub), medicinal thyme (Za’atar), and wild sage (Meramieh) to the cultivated olive, orange, and watermelon. Yet, like all other facets of their lives, their autonomy over their own food is under occupation. In addition to confiscating their farmlands and uprooting thousands of generational fruit trees, Israel imposes oppressive laws forbidding Palestinians from picking and growing the plants that comprise their culinary, medicinal, and cultural traditions. Despite this, Palestinians continue to find ways to resist. To symbolize this struggle, I’ve created original motifs of these plants, disrupting the landscape with their rich reds, warm oranges, verdant greens, and deep purples in an act of rebellion against the background’s muted color palette. Transcending mere fabric, this tapestry stands as a tribute to the enduring spirit of the Palestinian people and their ongoing struggle for survival, self-determination, and freedom.