Spring-Summer '23 Common Goals

Sports have the remarkable ability to inspire and empower individuals, teams, and entire societies. Through the pursuit of excellence, sports encourage us to push ourselves to new heights, to develop our character, to work together, and to learn valuable lessons. Sports can also foster a sense of national identity, shaping and influencing societies in countless ways.

This is particularly relevant in the context of oppressed societies that are denied basic human rights, such as the right to move freely. Today, we see the continued struggle of the Palestinian people to participate in sports due to the restrictions imposed on them by the Israeli occupation.

Looking back to the period between 1900 and 1948, Palestine had a vibrant sports culture, with around 65 athletic clubs across the country. Football was the most popular sport, but other activities such as track and field, swimming, weight lifting, wrestling, and table tennis were also enjoyed. Palestine even became a member of FIFA in 1929, with football players and enthusiasts preparing for participation in the World Cup.

However, the aftermath of the Nakba in 1948 saw many Palestinians, including athletes, forced to flee their homes and become refugees in neighboring Arab countries. Since Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967, the Arab Palestine Sports Federation (APSF) and the majority of athletic clubs have been disbanded, with the few that remain facing incredible challenges and limitations due to checkpoints and borders. Palestinian athletes often struggle to obtain exit visas to represent their country in international competitions, and many have been arrested, injured, or killed by Israeli forces.

Despite these obstacles, athletic competitions and sports matches have become a powerful means of expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause and calling for freedom and equality. Many Arab athletes have refused to compete against Israeli counterparts, raising awareness of the Palestinian struggle. Palestinian teams and athletes representing their homeland in competitions abroad have become a symbol of cultural resistance, capturing the attention of the international media and inspiring pride and joy among fans in Palestine and the diaspora.

In our new Spring-Summer '23 collection, 'Common Goals', we seek to honor Palestine's rich sports history while bringing attention to the ongoing effects of the occupation on the Palestinian people, culture, and society. The collection employs sport-inspired cuts and designs in bright colors, evoking the spirit of competition and community, with graphics and symbols drawing inspiration from Palestinian sports clubs of the past.

We are proud to continue our longstanding cooperation with craft workshops in Occupied Palestine, including hand-weaving and embroidery workshops in Lakiya, the Majdal hand-woven fabric manufacturer, and Palestinian embroiderers from the West Bank.

Through our work, we seek to honor and celebrate the rich culture of Palestine and the Levant region. We recognize the importance of Israelis standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing human rights violations and shifting their own society towards acknowledging the Palestinian plight. Adish believes that people of all faiths, ethnicities, and nationalities deserve equal rights to live in safety and dignity, and our new collection aims to bring attention to the daily struggles faced by the Palestinian people under occupation.