Dheisheh Kufiya

Since 1948, refugee camps have been home to nearly one third of all displaced Palestinians. When we think about refugee camps, we typically picture rows of tents. However, after more than 70 years since their establishment, Palestinian refugee camps today are far more… concrete, in a literal sense. Each tent, not lasting more than a few years, steadily would be replaced with concrete walls and rooftops, as Palestinian families learned to face the indefinite, enduring prospect of their expulsion.

Dheisheh camp is one of those communities that truly embody resilience. Home to around 13,000 people, the camp’s residents are renowned for their unwavering spirit and sharp wit when confronting the harsh realities of their occupation. Despite being under full Palestinian control (Area A), the Israeli military continues to conduct frequent incursions and arrests, aiming to suppress the regular protests that arise within the camp. With numerous arrests during the first and second intifadas, and even attempts to completely fence off the camp, the Israeli military views Dheisheh as a thorn in its side an uncomfortable reminder of its unlawful occupation. 

The wall at the camp’s entrance stands as a “wall of honor,” memorializing the residents who have lost their lives at the hands of the Israeli military. Names of the villages from which camp residents were displaced cover the wall, ensuring that their roots and heritage are never forgotten, despite the forced displacement. As a tribute to its history, the people of Dheisheh built a literal Concrete Tent, a poignant monument symbolizing the paradox of the Palestinian Refugee Tent a structure intended to be temporary and mobile, yet a permanent fixture. The Concrete Tent has become an enduring symbol of the camp, a place for exchange, debate, and reflection. In the same spirit, we dedicate the Dheisheh Kufiya to the enduring fortitude of the people of Dheisheh, honoring their strength and unbreakable resolve.