Visualizing Palestine
Reviewed by: Xavier McCormick
Review date: March 5, 2025
Site Link: https://visualizingpalestine.org/
Archive Links:
Keywords: Activism and Advocacy, Data Visualization, Human Rights, Middle East Studies, Digital Memory, Public Humanities, Genocide Studies
Data Sources:
- Reports from human rights organizations (e.g., UN OCHA, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch)
- Statistical data from UN bodies and NGOs
- Testimonies and oral histories from Palestinian communities
- News media reports and investigative journalism
- Archival photographs, maps, and historical documents
Processes:
- Aggregating diverse datasets into cohesive narratives
- Designing infographics that distill complex data into accessible, compelling visuals
- Mapping spatial and temporal dimensions of occupation, displacement, and violence
- Standardizing data across multiple sources for consistency and clarity
- Integrating interactive storytelling elements for enhanced user engagement
Presentation:
Visualizing Palestine is a digital archive and advocacy platform that translates quantitative and qualitative data into visual narratives. The website features an extensive collection of infographics, interactive maps, and multimedia storytelling projects that document Palestinian lived experiences under occupation. The project’s strength lies in its ability to distill this complex geopolitical issue into digestible, emotionally resonant formats that are accessible to a global (English and Arabic literate) audience.
Gaza Lives, one of the subprojects of the main site, was developed in collaboration with Kontinentalist and adopts a multimedia storytelling approach, combining data visualizations, personal testimonies, and interactive elements to humanize the realities of life in Gaza. This segment represents an evolution of Visualizing Palestine’s approach by incorporating richer narrative elements and interactive visualizations alongside the project’s signature infographics.
Digital Tools Used:
Not all of the digital tools used are listed, but using Wappalyzer and inference, here are some likely tools used:
- D3.js – JavaScript library for interactive data visualizations
- Svelte – JavaScript framework used in Gaza Lives
- WordPress – Content management system for the main site
- Adobe Illustrator – Used for designing static infographics
- Adobe InDesign – Likely used for layout and publication-ready visuals
Languages:
- English
- Arabic
Review
Visualizing Palestine was founded in 2012 as a response to the need for data-driven, visually compelling advocacy on Palestinian rights. The project originated from a collective of researchers, designers, and activists seeking to counter mainstream media narratives that often obscure the lived realities of Palestinians. By synthesizing data from human rights organizations, historical records, and on-the-ground testimonies, Visualizing Palestine constructs digital memory artifacts that challenge erasure and misrepresentation.
The initiative operates independently but partners with scholars, artists, and advocacy groups to ensure that its work is grounded in rigorous research and community engagement. Visualizing Palestine is part of the larger Visualizing Impact ecosystem, a social justice data visualization collective that applies similar methodologies to other human rights issues.
Visualizing Palestine has three key components. First, the project uses data-driven infographics as its core building blocks. It features visualizations on topics such as displacement, blockade, apartheid, settler-colonialism, and resistance. These graphics are widely circulated on social media and in advocacy campaigns. More recent projects, such as Gaza Lives, integrate multimedia and storytelling techniques to create immersive experiences. Finally, the site provides toolkits and fact-based narratives for educators, journalists, and activists.
The Gaza Lives project exemplifies a shift toward interactive engagement. It interweaves data visualizations with personal stories, using motion graphics, scrolling animations, and audio-visual elements to create a more immersive experience. This approach strengthens the project’s ability to connect with audiences beyond traditional infographics.
The main criticism I have of the project is that the sources are behind bit.ly links that require access to be given by admins. A more transparent method of sharing those sources through archive links would improve the transparency of the data.
Visualizing Palestine meets its goal of providing a visually compelling counter-narrative to mainstream media representations of Palestine. By transforming raw data into digestible visual arguments, the project bridges the gap between academia, activism, and public discourse.
How are the collaborative aspects reflected in the project and are there elements that work particularly well?
The interdisciplinary team, composed of data analysts, designers, activists, and researchers, ensures that the project maintains both accuracy and compelling visual presentation. By merging expertise from multiple fields, Visualizing Palestine transforms raw data into accessible and persuasive advocacy tools.
Partnerships with advocacy organizations such as Amnesty International, Al-Haq, and B’Tselem contribute data, analysis, and legal context to the visualizations. These collaborations give credibility to the project and ensure that its materials align with well-documented human rights reports. Additionally, community involvement plays a crucial role in shaping Visualizing Palestine’s narratives. Palestinian voices remain central to the project, reinforcing its commitment to representing lived experiences.
Beyond its immediate geographic focus, Visualizing Palestine has significant transnational reach. Its infographics and digital storytelling tools are used by activists, educators, and journalists worldwide, extending the project’s impact beyond Palestine. By making complex geopolitical issues more accessible, Visualizing Palestine provides essential educational and advocacy materials for audiences unfamiliar with the historical and contemporary realities of Palestinian life.
Do you see an opportunity for collaboration that would be helpful to the project?
The development of interactive archives, particularly by expanding projects like Gaza Lives into a full-fledged digital archive of Palestinian oral histories could be impactful. Integrating GIS mapping with interactive storytelling would allow users to explore historical and contemporary narratives spatially, creating a more immersive and engaging experience.
Crowdsourced data contributions, where Palestinians could directly submit testimonies, photographs, or localized data could also enhance the project. This would deepen community engagement, allowing for more grassroots contributions and a richer repository of lived experiences.