Juliano Mer-Khamis
Encyclopedia
Juliano Mer-Khamis was an Israel
i actor, director, filmmaker and political activist of Jewish and Christian Arab
parentage. On 4 April 2011, he was assassinated by a masked gunman in the Palestinian city of Jenin
, where he established the Freedom Theatre.
, the son of Arna Mer-Khamis
, a Jewish communist, and Saliba Khamis, an Israeli-Arab intellectual and one of the leaders of the Israeli Communist Party in the 1950s. He had two brothers, Spartacus and Abir. His grandfather was Gideon Mer
, a scientist who pioneered the study of malaria during the British Mandate.
In his youth, he adopted his maternal surname, Mer, and served in the Israeli Defense Forces as a combat soldier in the Paratroopers Brigade. In a 2009 interview with Israel Army Radio
, Mer-Khamis said of his background: "I am 100 percent Palestinian and 100 percent Jewish."
Mer-Khamis was married to Jenny, a Finnish activist he met in Haifa. They had a son, Jay, and were expecting the birth of twins at the time of his death.
, was an American thriller from 1984 directed by George Roy Hill
and starring Diane Keaton
, which dealt with the Israeli-Arab conflict. He starred in Avi Nesher
's film, Za'am V'Tehilah (1985). Later he appeared in such Israeli films as 51 Bar (1985), Wedding in Galilee
(1987), Tel Aviv Stories (1992), Zohar (1993), Under the Domim Tree
(1994), and Overture 1812 (1997). He appeared in several films by Amos Gitai
: Kedma, Esther (1986) and Kippur
(2000).
In 2002, Mer-Khamis was nominated for the Ophir award for Best Actor for his role in Kedma. One of the last films in which he appeared was the Palestinian film Salt of this Sea
(2008), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
He performed on stage with Beit Lessin Theater
and Habima Theatre. In 2003, he produced and directed his first documentary film, Arna's Children
, together with Danniel Danniel
. The film is about his mother's work to establish a children's theatre group in Jenin during the 1980s. Seven years after the death of his mother, and following the battle in Jenin in 2002
, Mer-Khamis returned to Jenin to meet and interview the children who participated in the theater, and found out that some became militants and were killed.
In 2006, following a wave of international support which was followed by his film, Mer-Khamis opened a community theater for children and adults in Jenin, called The Freedom Theatre.
, a former military leader of the Jenin Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
, Jonatan Stanczak, Swedish-Israeli activist, and Dror Feiler
, Swedish-Israeli artist. The Freedom Theatre is a community theatre that provides opportunities for the children and youth of the Jenin Refugee Camp by developing skills, self-knowledge and confidence and using the creative process as a model for social change.
condemned the killing saying that "We cannot stand silent in the face of this ugly crime, it constitutes a grave violation that goes beyond all principles and human values and it contravenes with the customs and ethics of co-existence."
Based on the testimony of an eyewitness, Palestinian police charged Mujahed Qaniri, from Jenin's refugee camp, with having carried out the murder. There are varying accounts of Qamiri's affiliation, some describe him as a former member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
who defected to Hamas
, but a Hamas spokesman has denied any involvement, describing this as a purely criminal incident.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i actor, director, filmmaker and political activist of Jewish and Christian Arab
Palestinian Christians
Palestinian Christians are Arabic-speaking Christians descended from the people of the geographical area of Palestine. Within Palestine, there are churches and believers from many Christian denominations, including Oriental Orthodoxy, Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholic , Protestant, and others...
parentage. On 4 April 2011, he was assassinated by a masked gunman in the Palestinian city of Jenin
Jenin
Jenin is the largest town in the Northern West Bank, and the third largest city overall. It serves as the administrative center of the Jenin Governorate and is a major agricultural center for the surrounding towns. In 2007, the city had a population of 120,004 not including the adjacent refugee...
, where he established the Freedom Theatre.
Biography
Juliano Khamis (later Mer-Khamis) was born in NazarethNazareth
Nazareth is the largest city in the North District of Israel. Known as "the Arab capital of Israel," the population is made up predominantly of Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel...
, the son of Arna Mer-Khamis
Arna Mer-Khamis
Arna Mer-Khamis was an Israeli Jewish political and human rights activist.- Biography :Mer was born in 1929, in Rosh Pinna, then in Mandate Palestine. She fought with the Palmach and Israel Defense Forces during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War...
, a Jewish communist, and Saliba Khamis, an Israeli-Arab intellectual and one of the leaders of the Israeli Communist Party in the 1950s. He had two brothers, Spartacus and Abir. His grandfather was Gideon Mer
Gideon Mer
Gideon Mer was an Israeli scientist whose work was mostly concerned with the eradication of malaria.Gideon Mer was born in Lithuania, then part of Imperial Russia. He studied medicine in Russia and France where he also graduated....
, a scientist who pioneered the study of malaria during the British Mandate.
In his youth, he adopted his maternal surname, Mer, and served in the Israeli Defense Forces as a combat soldier in the Paratroopers Brigade. In a 2009 interview with Israel Army Radio
Israel Army Radio
Army Radio or Galei Tzahal known in Israel by its acronym Galatz , is a nationwide Israeli radio network operated by the Israel Defense Forces....
, Mer-Khamis said of his background: "I am 100 percent Palestinian and 100 percent Jewish."
Mer-Khamis was married to Jenny, a Finnish activist he met in Haifa. They had a son, Jay, and were expecting the birth of twins at the time of his death.
Film and acting career
Mer-Khamis's first film, The Little Drummer GirlThe Little Drummer Girl
The Little Drummer Girl is a spy novel by John le Carré, published in 1983. The story follows the manipulations of Martin Kurtz, an Israeli spymaster who is trying to kill a Palestinian terrorist code-named 'Khalil', who is bombing Jewish-related targets in Europe, particularly Germany, and the...
, was an American thriller from 1984 directed by George Roy Hill
George Roy Hill
George Roy Hill was an American film director. He is most noted for directing such films as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting, which both starred the acting duo Paul Newman and Robert Redford...
and starring Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton is an American film actress, director, producer, and screenwriter. Keaton began her career on stage, and made her screen debut in 1970...
, which dealt with the Israeli-Arab conflict. He starred in Avi Nesher
Avi Nesher
Avi Nesher is an Israeli film producer, film director, screenwriter and actor.- Biography :Avi Nesher was born and raised in Ramat Gan, Israel. The child of a Romanian-born diplomat, and a mother who came from Russia. In 1965, he moved with his family to the United States...
's film, Za'am V'Tehilah (1985). Later he appeared in such Israeli films as 51 Bar (1985), Wedding in Galilee
Wedding in Galilee
Wedding in Galilee is a 1987 film directed by Michel Khleifi. It was awarded the International Critics Prize at Cannes in 1987.-Synopsis:...
(1987), Tel Aviv Stories (1992), Zohar (1993), Under the Domim Tree
Under the Domim Tree
Under the Domim Tree is a 1994 Israeli film, based on the 1992 book by Gila Almagor, of the same name. The film was directed by Eli Cohen, and screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival....
(1994), and Overture 1812 (1997). He appeared in several films by Amos Gitai
Amos Gitai
Amos Gitai , born 11 October 1950 in Haifa, Israel, is an Israeli filmmaker and director. He is mainly known for making documentaries and experimental / minimalist feature films...
: Kedma, Esther (1986) and Kippur
Kippur
Kippur is a 2000 Israeli drama war film directed by Amos Gitai. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by Gitai and Marie-Jose Sanselme; based on Gitai's own experiences as a member of a helicopter rescue crew during the 1973 Yom Kippur War...
(2000).
In 2002, Mer-Khamis was nominated for the Ophir award for Best Actor for his role in Kedma. One of the last films in which he appeared was the Palestinian film Salt of this Sea
Salt of this Sea
Salt of this Sea is a 2008 Palestinian film directed by Annemarie Jacir. It is Palestine's submission to the 81st Academy Awards for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film-Awards:* FIPRESCI PRIZE - INTERNATIONAL CRITICS AWARD...
(2008), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
He performed on stage with Beit Lessin Theater
Beit Lessin Theater
Beit Lessin Theater is a theater in Tel Aviv, Israel.Established in 1978 by Yaakov Agmon for the Histadrut, the theater resided in Lessin House until moving to the old residence of the Cameri Theater in 2003....
and Habima Theatre. In 2003, he produced and directed his first documentary film, Arna's Children
Arna's Children
Arna's Children is a 2003 Israeli/Dutch documentary film directed by Juliano Mer Khamis and Danniel Danniel about a children's theater group in Jenin in the Palestinian territories established by Arna Mer-Khamis, the director's mother, an Israeli Jewish political and human rights activist.The film...
, together with Danniel Danniel
Danniel Danniel
Danniel Danniel is an award winning Israeli film director, screenwriter and film editor living in the Netherlands since at least 1980.He graduated from the Netherlands Film and Television Academy in 1981...
. The film is about his mother's work to establish a children's theatre group in Jenin during the 1980s. Seven years after the death of his mother, and following the battle in Jenin in 2002
Battle of Jenin
The Battle of Jenin took place in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. Israel Defense Forces entered the camp, and other areas under the administration of the Palestinian Authority, during the Second Intifada, as part of Operation Defensive Shield...
, Mer-Khamis returned to Jenin to meet and interview the children who participated in the theater, and found out that some became militants and were killed.
In 2006, following a wave of international support which was followed by his film, Mer-Khamis opened a community theater for children and adults in Jenin, called The Freedom Theatre.
The Freedom Theatre
In 2006, Mer-Khamis established the Freedom Theatre along with Zakaria ZubeidiZakaria Zubeidi
Zakaria Muhammad 'Abdelrahman Zubeidi is a former Palestinian militant leader, who recently ended his years on Israel's most-wanted list by handing over his guns to the Palestinian National Authority and accepting Israeli amnesty. He had been the Jenin chief of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, and...
, a former military leader of the Jenin Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades is a coalition of Palestinian nationalist militias in the West Bank. The group's name refers to the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem...
, Jonatan Stanczak, Swedish-Israeli activist, and Dror Feiler
Dror Feiler
Dror Elimelech Feiler is a Swedish-Israeli musician, artist and leftist activist. He has been living in Stockholm, Sweden since 1973. He is married to the artist Gunilla Sköld-Feiler...
, Swedish-Israeli artist. The Freedom Theatre is a community theatre that provides opportunities for the children and youth of the Jenin Refugee Camp by developing skills, self-knowledge and confidence and using the creative process as a model for social change.
Assassination
Mer-Khamis was shot by masked gunmen in front of the theater he founded in Jenin. He was rushed to the Jenin Hospital, where he was pronounced dead after his arrival. PA Prime Minister Salam FayyadSalam Fayyad
Salam Fayyad is a Palestinian politician and Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority of the Palestinian National Authority. His first appointment, on 15 June 2007, which was justified by President Mahmoud Abbas on the basis of "national emergency", has not been confirmed by the...
condemned the killing saying that "We cannot stand silent in the face of this ugly crime, it constitutes a grave violation that goes beyond all principles and human values and it contravenes with the customs and ethics of co-existence."
Based on the testimony of an eyewitness, Palestinian police charged Mujahed Qaniri, from Jenin's refugee camp, with having carried out the murder. There are varying accounts of Qamiri's affiliation, some describe him as a former member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades
The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades is a coalition of Palestinian nationalist militias in the West Bank. The group's name refers to the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem...
who defected to Hamas
Hamas
Hamas is the Palestinian Sunni Islamic or Islamist political party that governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas also has a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades...
, but a Hamas spokesman has denied any involvement, describing this as a purely criminal incident.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The Little Drummer Girl The Little Drummer Girl (film) The Little Drummer Girl is a 1984 American spy film directed by George Roy Hill and adapted from the 1983 novel The Little Drummer Girl by John le Carré. It starred Diane Keaton, Yorgo Voyagis, Klaus Kinski and Thorley Walters.... |
Julio | |
| 1985 | Not Quite Paradise Not Quite Paradise Not Quite Paradise is a 1985 drama film directed by Lewis Gilbert. It is also known by the alternative title Not Quite Jerusalem.-External links:... |
Hassan (terrorist) | |
| 1985 | Za'am V'Tehilah | ||
| 1985 | 51 Bar | Thomas | |
| 1986 | Esther | Haman Haman (Bible) Haman is the main antagonist in the Book of Esther, who, according to Old Testament tradition, was a 5th Century BC noble and vizier of the Persian empire under King Ahasuerus, traditionally identified as Artaxerxes II... |
|
| 1987 | Wedding in Galilee Wedding in Galilee Wedding in Galilee is a 1987 film directed by Michel Khleifi. It was awarded the International Critics Prize at Cannes in 1987.-Synopsis:... (Urs al-Jalil) |
Officer | |
| 1989 | Berlin-Yerushalaim | Menahme | |
| 1993 | Sipurei Tel-Aviv (Tel Aviv Stories) | Jeno | |
| 1993 | Zohar | Morris | |
| 1993 | Deadly Heroes Deadly Heroes Deadly Heroes is a direct to video 1993 action film starring Michael Paré, Jan-Michael Vincent and Billy Drago. Directed by Menahem Golan, Deadly Heroes is notable for being one of the last films released under Golan's 21st Century Film Corporation banner. The company went bankrupt shortly thereafter... |
Ramon | |
| 1994 | Nothing to Lose | Antonio Valdez | |
| 1994 | Under the Domim Tree Under the Domim Tree Under the Domim Tree is a 1994 Israeli film, based on the 1992 book by Gila Almagor, of the same name. The film was directed by Eli Cohen, and screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival.... (Etz Hadomim Tafus) |
Ariel | |
| 1994 | Yom Yom | Jules | |
| 1997 | Overture 1812 | ||
| 2000 | The Last Patrol | Jesus Carrero | |
| 2000 | Kippur Kippur Kippur is a 2000 Israeli drama war film directed by Amos Gitai. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by Gitai and Marie-Jose Sanselme; based on Gitai's own experiences as a member of a helicopter rescue crew during the 1973 Yom Kippur War... |
The Captain | |
| 2002 | Kedma | Moussa | |
| 2003 | Arna's Children Arna's Children Arna's Children is a 2003 Israeli/Dutch documentary film directed by Juliano Mer Khamis and Danniel Danniel about a children's theater group in Jenin in the Palestinian territories established by Arna Mer-Khamis, the director's mother, an Israeli Jewish political and human rights activist.The film... |
Himself | Won FIPRESCI Prize |
| 2004 | God's Sandbox (Tahara) | Nagim | Nominated for Best Actor |
| 2008 | Salt of this Sea Salt of this Sea Salt of this Sea is a 2008 Palestinian film directed by Annemarie Jacir. It is Palestine's submission to the 81st Academy Awards for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film-Awards:* FIPRESCI PRIZE - INTERNATIONAL CRITICS AWARD... |
Hiking leader | Palestinian submission for Oscar in "Best Foreign Language Film" category |
| 2009 | Hadutha Saghira | Israeli soldier | |
| 2010 | Miral Miral Miral is a 2010 biographical political film directed by Julian Schnabel. The screenplay was written by Rula Jebreal, based on her novel. The film was released on 3 September at the 2010 Venice Film Festival and on 15 September 2010 in France. The film was set for release on 3 December 2010 in the... |
Shaikh Saabah |
Television and video
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Hostages | Ali | Series |
| 1992 | Sweating Bullets | Melito | Series – played in "Don't Say Nothing Bad About My Baby" episode |
| 1995 | The Revolutionary | Centurion | Video |
| 1996 | The Revolutionary II | Centurion | Video |
| 1998 | Florentine | Remi | Series |
| 2001 | 1000 Calories | Eitan Katz | TV movie |
| 2006 | Dijihad! | Omar | TV movie |
External links
- The Murder of an Actor/Activist – slideshow by Life magazine