In September of 1993, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) signed the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements. This marked an historic first step in the process towards peace in the Middle East, which has endured a tragic history of constant warThat same month, Japan announced that it would actively support Palestine and would energetically pursue direct assistance, in addition to existing aid through international institutions.

The Gaza strip is a key area for peace in the Middle East. In 1996, Japan provided grant assistance for grassroot projects for this area as an extension of the mural painting project undertaken by the United Nations Volunteers.

The walls of Gaza are heavily painted with political graffiti, which can be said to represent scars from the strident intifada resistance against occupation. The community rehabilitation and mural project is designed to replace this graffiti with murals displaying a bright hope for the future.

This project has 15 staff members, all of whom are in their twenties. During the intifada, they threw stones and used spray paint to portray the brave face of the resistance, and to display propaganda. Now, they are using paintbrushes to create murals.

Youths working on the mural project.

Hopeful murals have given the whole community a brighter face.