Celebrated Artist Khalil Ghaith Detained in Jordan for Defiant Mural Honoring Palestinian Leader Yahya Sinwar

Amman (Quds News Network)- Renowned artist Khalil Ghaith, known for his evocative murals capturing refugee life, was arrested and detained in Jordan’s infamous Marka Prison. His arrest follows his attempt to paint a mural commemorating Palestinian resistance leader Yahya Sinwar at a prominent square in Baqaa Refugee Camp, north of Amman.

For decades, Ghaith has dedicated his art to documenting the daily lives of refugees, often portraying the small details that make up the fabric of life in the camps. In a previsions interview with Al Jazeera, Ghaith expressed that from the moment he discovered his artistic talent, he considered himself “a fighter with brushes and colors.” He stated, “My mission is to convey the refugees’ plight—my own plight—and narrate our journey, a journey that started over 75 years ago.”

Ghaith uses graffiti art as a medium to reinforce the camp’s identity and remind residents of their heritage. “I aim to make every street painting a reminder of the right of return, and I hope that for children, these paintings keep alive the memory of their ancestors’ land,” Ghaith shared.

Embracing the realistic art movement, Ghaith rejects abstract or modern art, viewing it as a luxury that detracts from his purpose. His artwork, he explains, is a tribute to his people’s enduring struggle for liberation and a beacon of hope for a return to Palestine.

Widely regarded as the “Artist of Refuge,” Ghaith has exhibited his work in Jordan and abroad, with critics and fans alike celebrating his contributions to refugee narratives. He expresses hope to one day return to his village, concluding his journey as an artist of exile and transforming into the “Artist of Return.”

His arrest comes amid increasing crackdowns on pro-Palestinian activities in Jordan, with numerous arrests reported under Jordan’s cybercrime and anti-terrorism laws, which penalize support for Palestinian resistance efforts.

Since the start of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, three Jordanians, one of them is a former soldier, succeeded in carrying out resistance operations against Israeli forces. Several other attempts took place but failed due to Jordanian security services efforts.