Growing up in a house with Palestinian immigrant parents, the story of our people always began with the Nakbah with the Catastrophe of 1948. We always spoke about that event as the starting point of our history, our people, our legacy. I had no idea that our history was not confined to the sorrowful glimpses recorded in its annals but held so much more depth and joy.

A few years ago, while attending a conference in Philadelphia, I encountered black and white photographs of Palestine from before 1948.  I was mesmerized! Who were these people? Why have I not seen these images before? What story do these images tell me that I have not heard? The images seared in my mind created a dedication to researching more about the history of my people, our history that reflects joy and beauty using images to convey a story that has not been shared. As I began to dig deeper, I realized that there were archives of beautiful images that portrayed the grandeur that was Palestine before 1948. Always thinking in my social studies role, I put together how using these images would be of value in teaching culture and the history of this country. 

In the classroom, history often gets reduced to events, dates, and figures—significant yet stripped of the life, culture, and humanity that make up the stories of real people. For Palestine, whose history has often been marginalized, distorted, or omitted entirely in mainstream narratives, there is a pressing need to humanize and celebrate its rich heritage. One powerful way to do this is through teaching visual literacy— using images, photographs, and art that encapsulate Palestine’s vibrant culture, landscapes, and community life before the upheavals of 1948.This approach allows educators to bring the past to life, fostering pride in Palestinian identity while addressing the erasure of its heritage. By showcasing pre-1948 Palestine’s architecture, bustling marketplaces, scenic landscapes, and thriving communities, educators can challenge reductive narratives, celebrate resilience, and help students forge meaningful connections with Palestinian history.

The Richness of Pre-1948 Palestine: A Glimpse Through Visuals

Palestine has always been a tapestry of diverse communities, cultures, and traditions. Before 1948, Palestine was a land of bustling cities like Jaffa and Haifa, serene villages, ancient olive groves, and a deep cultural and artistic heritage. Images from this era provide a window into Palestine often absent from history textbooks. Excellent resources for images are:

•  Palestine Photo Project which uses images housed in the Library of Congress.
• Photographs of Life in Palestine (ca. 1896–1919)

Architecture and Urban Landscapes
The cities of Palestine before 1948 were hubs of architectural brilliance, blending Arab, Ottoman, and Mediterranean influences. Images of the ancient stone alleyways of Jerusalem’s Old City, the elegant villas of Jaffa, and the vibrant streets of Haifa offer students a lens into the cultural sophistication of the time.
Exploring these architectural treasures through photographs and paintings allows students to see Palestine as more than a political flashpoint—it becomes a place of beauty, history, and ingenuity. Teachers can incorporate discussions about how these spaces fostered community, trade, and cultural exchange, while also exploring the modern threats to their preservation.

Bazaars and Marketplaces
Marketplaces, or souks, were the beating heart of Palestinian cities. Images of vendors selling fresh produce, spices, and handmade goods under colorful awnings transport students to a time when these marketplaces thrived as centers of daily life and social interaction.
Artworks depicting bustling souks can spark conversations about the role of trade and community in Palestinian society. Teachers can encourage students to reflect on how these traditions persist today, highlighting the resilience of Palestinian culture.

Rural Life and Scenic Landscapes
Palestine’s rural landscapes—rolling hills, olive groves, and coastal plains—were essential to its identity. Photographs of farmers tending to their land, shepherds with their flocks, or families gathered for communal meals evoke a deep connection to the earth.
By engaging with these visuals, students can explore how the land shaped Palestinian life and traditions, from olive oil production to storytelling under ancient trees. Art inspired by these landscapes offers a creative lens for understanding the interplay between people and nature.

Visual Narratives: Reclaiming Identity and Countering Erasure

The power of visual history lies in its ability to tell stories that words sometimes cannot. For Palestinians, whose narratives have often been overshadowed or ignored, these images and artworks are acts of reclamation. They affirm the richness of Palestinian life before displacement and provide a tangible connection to a past that continues to shape identity today.

Countering Misrepresentation and Stereotypes

Too often, the history of Palestine is framed in terms of conflict and loss, erasing the thriving, dynamic society that existed before 1948. Visual history disrupts these one-dimensional narratives by presenting an alternative view—one that emphasizes life, creativity, and community.

Educators can use pre-1948 images to show students a Palestine that challenges stereotypes. By analyzing photographs, paintings, and postcards, students can critically examine how historical narratives are constructed and whose stories are amplified or silenced.

Fostering Cultural Pride and Connection

For Palestinian students, seeing images of their heritage can be deeply affirming. It roots their identity in a legacy of resilience, creativity, and pride. For non-Palestinian students, these visuals foster empathy and a deeper understanding of a culture often reduced to headlines.

Encouraging students to engage with this visual history through creative projects—such as recreating historical scenes, writing reflective essays, or creating art inspired by the images—further deepens their connection to the material.

Teaching Strategies: Bringing Visual History into the Classroom

Incorporating images and art into lessons on Palestine’s history requires thoughtful planning and an emphasis on student engagement. Teachers could use this valuable primary resource from Haymarket books teachers to plan a lesson: Against Erasure: A Photographic Memory of Palestine before the Nakba.

The following strategies are adapted from this valuable resource from Haymarket books Against Erasure: A Photographic Memory of Palestine before the Nakba.

1. Curating a Visual Archive

Start by collecting a diverse array of images and artworks from pre-1948 Palestine. Include photographs of daily life, historical landmarks, and artworks by Palestinian artists of the time. Digital archives, museum collections, and books on Palestinian history are excellent resources.

Present these visuals as a gallery walk or interactive slideshow, allowing students to explore them at their own pace. Encourage them to jot down their observations, questions, and emotions as they engage with the images.

2. Analyzing Visuals Through Inquiry

Teach students to analyze images critically by asking questions like:

• What story does this image tell?
• Who might have created it, and why?
• What details stand out, and what do they reveal about life in Palestine?
• How does this image compare to how Palestine is represented today?
• Use Harvard Project Zero Thinking Routine: Peel the Fruit (here the activity is used in a different method in what is called a Thinking pathway) to help students analyze photos and images. 

Pair this inquiry with primary source texts, such as memoirs or travel accounts, to provide additional context.

3. Integrating Art Projects

Encourage students to create their own art inspired by the visuals they study. For example, they can:

• Based on the images you’ve seen, paint or draw scenes inspired from pre-1948 Palestine.
• Write poetry or short stories based on an image.
• Design a modern poster celebrating Palestinian culture and heritage. Highlight elements such as traditional embroidery (tatreez), Palestinian cuisine, iconic landmarks like the Dome of the Rock, Bethlehem and Jericho or olive trees, and folkloric dance (dabke). Incorporate the colors of the Palestinian flag in a subtle and respectful way, and showcase the spirit of resilience, community, and pride. Ensure the design reflects inclusivity and respect for the richness of Palestinian history and identity

These projects allow students to express their learning creatively while connecting emotionally with the material.

4. Highlighting Palestinian Artists

Introduce students to Palestinian artists who have used their work to preserve and celebrate their heritage. For example, discuss the work of Sliman Mansour, whose art often draws on Palestinian rural life and landscapes. Using black and white sketches by Mary Hazboun or Malak Mattar, who is considered our modern version of Frida Kahlo. 

Exploring these artists’ works can inspire students to see art as a form of resistance and storytelling.

5. Connecting Past and Present

Finally, link the visual history of pre-1948 Palestine to the present day. Discuss how cultural traditions depicted in the images—such as olive harvesting, embroidery, or storytelling—continue to thrive despite displacement and occupation.

Invite students to interview family members or community elders about their memories or stories of Palestine, creating a bridge between generations.

The Impact: Pride, Resilience, and Awareness

Teaching the history of pre-1948 Palestine through images and art goes beyond the classroom. It empowers students to reclaim and celebrate their heritage, fostering pride in their identity and resilience in the face of adversity. For non-Palestinian students, it cultivates empathy and a nuanced understanding of a culture and history often overshadowed by political narratives.

Visual history reminds us that Palestine is not just a place of conflict but a land of beauty, culture, and community. By rediscovering this legacy, educators can inspire students to honor and share these stories, ensuring they are never forgotten.

Conclusion: Building a Foundation for Future Generations

As educators, our role is not just to teach history but to bring it to life in ways that resonate with our students. Rediscovering Palestine before 1948 through images and art is an opportunity to celebrate a rich heritage, challenge misrepresentations, and build bridges of understanding.

By integrating these visual narratives into our teaching, we help students connect with a history that is vibrant, human, and enduring—laying the foundation for future generations to embrace their identities and stories with pride. Together, we can ensure that the beauty and resilience of pre-1948 Palestine are never forgotten.