QUICK FACTS
Date of Birth
1976
Jenin, Occupied Palestinian Territories
Place of Birth
Why Featured?
Jarrar has used art to challenge the Israeli occupation and assert Palestinian identity on a global stage.
BRIEF BIO
Khaled Jarrar is a Palestinian visual artist and filmmaker, known for his interdisciplinary work that critiques the Israeli occupation of Palestine. His projects span photography, video art, sculpture, and performance, using art as a form of political resistance. Jarrar’s works, such as the “State of Palestine” project, reflect his commitment to highlighting the Palestinian experience under occupation. His ability to transform ordinary objects into powerful political statements has earned him international recognition.
LAST UPDATED
DATE
Monday, January 26, 2026
MAJOR MILESTONES
Key dates & turning points
Worked as a bodyguard for Yasser Arafat: Before becoming an artist, Jarrar was a bodyguard for Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, which deepened his engagement with the Palestinian cause.
Launched the "State of Palestine" project at the 7th Berlin Biennale (2012): Jarrar created and stamped passports with a "State of Palestine" seal, a symbolic act to assert Palestinian sovereignty.
Won awards for his documentary "The Infiltrators" (2012): The documentary depicted Palestinians crossing the separation wall to reunite with family, winning the FIPRESCI award at the Dubai International Film Festival.
Painted a rainbow flag on the separation wall (2015): Jarrar's act of painting a rainbow flag on the Israeli wall highlighted the dual challenges of occupation and social issues within Palestinian society.
Upcycled concrete from the separation wall into art: In his "Upcycle the Wall" project, Jarrar used pieces of the Israeli wall to create sculptures, symbolizing resilience and transformation.
CONTRIBUTIONS
What they did, and why it matters
Challenged the Israeli occupation through art: His “State of Palestine” project symbolically challenged the Israeli border regime and sparked global conversation about Palestinian statehood.
Focused on the daily life of Palestinians under occupation: His documentary “The Infiltrators” depicted the real struggles of Palestinians crossing the wall to see family, humanizing the impact of the occupation...See More
Turned the separation wall into a symbol of resistance: By using concrete from the wall in his art, Jarrar transformed a tool of oppression into a symbol of defiance and creativity.
Amplified Palestinian stories in global forums: Jarrar's works have been featured internationally, bringing the Palestinian narrative to prominent exhibitions like the London Film Festival, Centre Pompidou, and the Berlin Biennale...See More
Used art to address broader social issues within Palestinian society: His rainbow flag project was a critique of both Israeli occupation and the lack of tolerance within Palestinian society, showing his willingness to engage with complex social dynamics.
Disclaimer: This chat uses AI to generate responses inspired by the profile content and publicly available information. It does not represent the real person.
Last updated
Jan 26, 2026
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