For many of us, we have witnessed the atrocities of the last 6 weeks through the lens of Motaz Azaiza. That lens wasn’t always used to cover genocide, Motaz’s dream was to be an international photographer. For those of us who followed him before this, seeing his rich talent being put to use on such horrible tragedy is almost as harrowing as seeing the toll this has taken on him. We’ve seen him age drastically in the last two months, and had our heart break watching his break multiple times a day.

A few weeks ago he wrote that he wished God never let him be born, so that he wouldn’t witness what he’s seeing. If that happened, so many of us would be blind to what is happening. If that happened, the faces he’s comforting or mourning in those harrowing videos wouldn’t have their stories told to us on the outside.

He wants no glory. He doesn’t want to be called a hero, or any of this adulation. He just wants his people to live, and to be free. Inshallah we can see that day, again through his lens.

For more on the endangered species that is the Palestinian journalist, please look at the dedicated story highlights  entitled "Journalists" on my  Instagram profile page.

Acrylic on Canvas 16" x 20"