Shahids, 2003–2008 In the Palestinian revolt known as the Second Intifada and beginning in Autumn 2000, 161 suicide bombers carried out 144 attacks, in which 515 Israelis died and a further 3,428 were injured. All of the suicide bombers allowed themselves to be videoed before they set out on their mission. As examples, the documentary video collages show six Palestinian videos of suicide bombers. The videos record the moment before the act and are at the same time a confession of murder, a farewell letter and part of a strategy of terror aimed at claiming media coverage. By the time we see these young men and women, as they pray and prepare for death, they are already dead, the anticipated act has already been committed. All of the confessional videos also distinguish themselves through a common aesthetic as regards lighting, camera use and editing. Joshua Simon, * 1979 in Tel Aviv-Jaffa (IL), lives and works in Tel Aviv-Jaffa (IL) Joshua Simon, Shahids, 2003–2008 video collage (colour, sound) 20 min., loop editor: Oded Bajayo courtesy Joshua Simon
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