In July 2019, a news story emerged on a local community news website titled “The dove that refuses to leave the Jabaliya Mosque in Jaffa.” The entire article revolved around an incident in which a dove had flown into the Jabaliya Mosque, located in the Jabaliya neighbourhood (Givat Aliya) in southern Jaffa. This dove ended up making its nest on one of the air conditioning units within the mosque, laying eggs that eventually hatched into chicks. Despite the mosque’s muezzin’s numerous attempts to coax the dove out, including relocating its chicks to the mosque’s balcony, the bird remained resolutely inside the mosque, finding refuge for itself and its offspring in the prayer area.

“Project II” is a video installation in which a manipulated excerpt from the mosque’s security cameras is played onto two screens connected to a sculpture. These screens are adorned with cutouts resembling Solomon’s seal—a symbol attributed to King Solomon in Islamic and Jewish mystical traditions, especially during the Middle Ages. Over time, this seal evolved into the Star of David, which later became emblematic of the Zionist movement.

According to tradition, King Solomon’s ring bearing this symbol granted him the power to command demons and communicate with animals.

Curator: Meital Aviram