Eliyahu Fatal / Eli Petel

In Baab El-Yahud, the gate functions as a dynamic symbol, called by different names depending on the group referencing it. It raises questions about naming and affiliation, opening a broader inquiry into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through this work, Eliyahu Fatal invites viewers to reflect on the power of language in shaping perceptions of place and history.
In Israel, a land saturated with ideologies, Fatal’s gates transcend conventional biases by synthesizing their physical and symbolic dimensions into unified, compelling images. This is exemplified in his depiction of a gate that cannot be fully seen from any single angle due to architectural and spatial limitations, emphasizing the fragmented nature of identity and belonging.