Born in Nazareth in 1958, Juliano Mer-Khamis navigated a life defined by his dual heritage as the son of an Israeli Jewish mother and a Palestinian Christian father. Throughout his professional life as an actor, director, and activist, he sought to reconcile these disparate identities while working across the turbulent landscapes of Israeli and Palestinian theatre and film.
Early Life and Military Service
Born Juliano Khamis to Arna Mer-Khamis and Saliba Khamis, he grew up with an intellectual background rooted in the Israeli Communist Party. Despite his father's opposition, he volunteered for the Israel Defense Forces, serving in the Paratroopers Brigade and eventually being stationed in Jenin. During this period, he grappled with his surroundings, later describing his experiences as an attempt to find a side to belong to. Following an act of defiance at a checkpoint, he faced incarceration and time in psychiatric institutions, which preceded his eventual departure from military life.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Acting and Directing Career
After leaving the military, Mer-Khamis pursued training in acting. His film career began with the 1984 production The Little Drummer Girl. Over the following decades, he appeared in numerous Israeli and international films, including Wedding in Galilee, Zohar, and Amos Gitai’s Kedma, for which he received an Ophir Award nomination for Best Actor in 2002. His later work included appearances in the Palestinian film Salt of this Sea. In addition to his screen work, he performed on stage with the Habima Theatre and the Beit Lessin Theater.
The Freedom Theatre and Activism
Influenced by his mother's children's center in Jenin, Mer-Khamis shifted his focus toward drama therapy and community engagement. Following the Second Intifada, he spent time with militants in Jenin to document their lives for his 2004 film, Arna's Children. He subsequently established The Freedom Theatre in the city. Beyond his artistic contributions, he facilitated practical aid for local residents, including medical transport and provisions, while maintaining his commitment to both his Israeli and Palestinian identities.
Death and Legacy
On 4 April 2011, Mer-Khamis was assassinated by a masked gunman in Jenin. At the time of his death, he was married to Jenny Nyman, and the couple was expecting twins. Following his death, his widow moved to Haifa to raise their children. The Freedom Theatre, which he founded, continued its operations under the management of Jonathan Stanczyk and Nabil al-Raee. In 2011, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Jerusalem.
Fast facts
- Born: 1958, Nazareth
- Died: 2011, Jenin
- Citizenship: Israel
- Primary occupations: Actor, Director, Activist
- Key work: The Freedom Theatre
- Languages spoken: Hebrew, Arabic
- Posthumous award: Medal of Jerusalem (2011)
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of The Freedom Theatre?
Founded by Mer-Khamis in Jenin, the theatre served as a hub for drama therapy and artistic expression for the local community.
How did Mer-Khamis define his own identity?
In a 2009 interview with Israel Army Radio, he described himself as 100 percent Palestinian and 100 percent Jewish.
Achievements
- Worked as film director, stage actor and film actor
.jpg)
