“The Eye,” Art, Kareem Muhanna

“The Eye,” Kareem Muhanna, 2026

The eye looks directly at the viewer, a reminder that the world is watching and must not look away. Inside the eye hangs a noose, symbolizing fear, danger, and lives under threat. The fence pattern reflects isolation, captivity, and separation from home.

The piece also responds to recent Israeli legislation allowing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted in military courts, a law widely criticized as discriminatory because it effectively applies only to Palestinians and not to Israelis accused of similar acts. During debate over the bill, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and members of his party wore noose-shaped pins in support of the measure, turning the noose into a celebratory symbol of execution and intimidation.

This work was created to call for an end to the executions and to emphasize the urgency of protecting Palestinians held captive by Israeli forces.