Esmaeil Baghaei said they remind humanity of its responsibility toward the suffering of others.

He made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony for the photo exhibition “What Remained Unseen!”—featuring works by Palestinian photographer Mahmoud Abu Hamdeh, which was held on Tuesday, October 20, at the Museum of Contemporary Palestinian Art in Tehran.

This collection of photographs, previously exhibited in Baghdad under the title “Ma Lam Yushahad!”, is now being presented in Tehran as an independent narrative by the Iranian Photographers' House. The works in this exhibition depict moments from the daily lives of women and children in Palestine.

At the start of the event, Nasser Abu Sharif, the representative of the Hamas movement in Iran, highlighted the role of art and imagery in reflecting the realities of Palestine. He said Palestinian photographer Mahmoud Abu Hamdeh has been extensively documenting images related to Palestine since 2008. “In the Arab world, prominent artists—such as the renowned cartoonist Naji al-Ali—and great poets have also contributed to this cause; however, their artistic endeavors did not fully succeed in challenging the Zionist narrative within global public opinion.”

Referring to the developments following October 7, 2023, Abu Sharif said the widespread dissemination of images showing the devastation in Gaza has created a new situation, bringing the realities of Palestinian life to the attention of the world on a much larger scale.

“The scale of the destruction and the suffering of the people in this region were such that witnessing them could not fail to elicit an emotional and human response. These images provided the audience with a deeper understanding of the conditions faced by Palestinians and shifted the perspectives of many regarding the Palestinian issue.”

The Hamas representative in Iran, noting that the images emerging from Gaza influenced global awareness of the Palestinian issue, said while those who had firmly decided not to alter their views may have avoided looking at these images, those who examined these realities closely gained a better understanding of Palestine. “These materials did not merely stir the emotions of the audience; they also transformed their grasp of the historical background of the Palestinian issue and the true nature of the Zionist regime’s policies.”

Emphasizing that the events of October 7 revealed the true face of the Zionist regime to the public, Abu Sharif explained, “Prior to this event, much of the Western media and political establishment portrayed Israel as a beacon of democracy and humanity—a state surrounded by so-called ‘terrorist’ groups, acting solely in self-defense. Conversely, the Palestinian people were branded as ‘terrorists’. The images that emerged following October 7—particularly scenes of widespread devastation in Gaza and the harm inflicted upon civilians—challenged this one-sided narrative, prompting many to reconsider their previous perceptions. These images have made it possible to recognize other dimensions of the realities in Palestine and have heightened public attention toward the conditions faced by the people of this land.”

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Pointing to a shift in the perspective of a segment of American society regarding Palestine, the Hamas representative in Iran stated, “According to the cited statistics, prior to October 7, approximately 21 percent of American respondents supported Palestine, while support for Israel stood at around 46 percent. Following this event, support for the Palestinians increased, altering the gap in public sentiment toward the two sides. In some polls conducted after October 7, support for the Palestinians among American respondents rose to over 41 percent, while support for Israel was reported at approximately 36 percent. These shifts indicate a significant transformation in the landscape of public opinion and demonstrate that the images emerging from Gaza have influenced the views of a portion of American society.”

He expressed hope that in the upcoming US elections, this shift in public attitude will lead to more effective political stances, and that support for the rights of the Palestinian people will be more clearly reflected in official decision-making.

Expressing his appreciation for Palestinian photographers and media activists, the Hamas representative in Iran stated, “The Palestinian people owe a debt of gratitude to those who, under the most arduous conditions, documented the realities of Gaza and conveyed them to the world.”

During the war in Gaza, approximately 240 individuals holding press credentials were killed. When including those without official press credentials, the total number of media-related fatalities reaches approximately 1,500.

In his address, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the importance of documenting and displaying images of the Zionist regime's atrocities in Gaza.

He stated, “The valuable initiative of showcasing Abu Hamdeh’s photographs from Gaza is an artistic endeavor dedicated to upholding humanity—a culture that Iranians have always pioneered in preserving and promoting. Centuries ago, the poet Sa’adi, in his verse ‘Human beings are members of one another’, underscored the human bond and the necessity of empathizing with others. This perspective suggests that human suffering cannot be compartmentalized; indifference toward the plight of others is fundamentally incompatible with the essence of humanity.”

Referring to children as symbols of innocence and purity, he said, “One of the most sobering aspects of the Zionist regime's atrocities is the staggering number of children targeted in Gaza, the West Bank, and elsewhere. One must ask: what connection exists between the Epstein case and the atrocities committed in Gaza, Minab, and Lamerd? We cannot simply overlook the fact that children—God’s most innocent creations—are among the primary victims of this regime’s aggressions and crimes.”

Highlighting the role of photographers in documenting crimes against the Palestinian people, Baghaei said, “Beyond being mere works of art, these images serve as a cry against historical atrocities and genocide. They fulfill a mission—a duty—shouldered by the photographer to capture harsh, bitter realities. Such works remind us that we inhabit a shared world and bear a responsibility toward the pain and suffering of our fellow human beings." A responsibility from which one cannot shirk through silence or inaction.”

He added, “Part of the moral crisis in the Western world stems from this very indifference; when human beings and other societies are reduced to mere numbers and statistics, their suffering ceases to hold any significance. Behind every photograph or image lies a human life—with a distinct past, formed dreams, and aspirations for the future. Recognizing this truth underscores the necessity of seeing human beings as more than just casualty statistics, and of grasping the human dimensions of such tragedies.”

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Expressing his appreciation to the organizers of the event, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated, “We pay tribute to the pure souls of all the martyrs—those who fell in Gaza, as well as the victims in Lebanon, Minab, and Lamerd. The memory of these martyrs serves as a reminder of the international community’s responsibility to confront atrocities and defend human dignity.”

In his concluding remarks, Baghaei expressed the hope that a future free from crimes, aggression, and transgression awaits all nations.

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