Hooman Khalili is an Iranian-American artist who answered the killing of Mahsa Amini by painting murals — first in San Francisco, then a wave of them across Israel. His works honour Iranian women killed in the uprising alongside a Persian-Jewish bond going back three millennia, and he unveiled them in the one country in the region, he says, willing to stand publicly with the women of Iran. His stated mission is simple: to reunite Iran and Israel as friends.
The documented record
- September 2022
Began his mural mission after the killing of Mahsa Amini, painting his first ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ mural in San Francisco before carrying the project to Israel.
The Media Line - September 2023
Unveiled murals in Tel Aviv, Haifa and near Jerusalem marking the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, picturing her alongside more than 1,000 other Iranians killed or imprisoned in the crackdown.
The Algemeiner - February 2024
Unveiled a Tel Aviv mural pairing Israeli-Iranian soldier Shirel Haim Pour, killed on 7 October, with Iranian archery champion Kosar Khoshnoodi Kia and Queen Esther — a tableau of 3,000 years of Persian-Jewish friendship.
The Times of Israel - November 2024
Completed his ‘18 murals’ mission across Israel — eighteen for the Hebrew ‘chai,’ meaning life — thanking Israel for being, in his words, the only country in the Middle East standing with the women of Iran.
All Israel News
In their own words
My goal is to reunite Iran and Israel as friends. It's a 3,000-year-old friendship.
Israel is the only country in the Middle East standing with the women of Iran. These murals inspire the women of Iran to keep fighting.
Thank you to Israel. You're in the midst of a war, and still you chose to stand alongside the freedom-fighting women of Iran. Let's believe in our lifetimes that Iran will be free.
In their own voice
Hooman Khalili - Mural Diplomacy for Iran in IsraelWatch on YouTube
Iran-Born Artist Exposes BRUTALITY Of Iranian Regime | Hooman Khalili | TBN IsraelWatch on YouTube
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Sources
- 1.The Times of Israel — “In Israel, Iranian artist unveils Oct. 7-themed mural honoring Persian-Jewish ties,” 5 Feb 2024
- 2.The Algemeiner — “Israeli Cities Unveil Murals Honoring Mahsa Amini, Symbol of Iranian Protest Movement,” 12 Sep 2023
- 3.The Media Line — “Artist Bridges Cultures With 18 Murals Across Israel Supporting Iranian Women,” 5 Dec 2024
- 4.All Israel News — “Iranian artist Hooman Khalili completes his 18 murals mission in Israel,” 12 Nov 2024