Iranian artist Hooman Khalili completes his 18-murals mission in Israel, celebrating the number of 'life'

As tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, an Iranian-born creative director has come to unveil the last in his series of murals at The First Station tourist attraction and cultural center in Jerusalem.

Hooman Khalili is becoming an increasingly familiar face in Israel, as this final mural completes a total of 18 artworks displayed across the Jewish state. Although financed and organized by Khalili himself, the artist's latest venture was made possible with the support of ITLV news anchor Emily Schrader and the former deputy mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum.

Khalili has traveled from his home in California 17 times to present his murals in key Israeli cities like Tel Aviv, Nazareth, Safed, Eilat, Jerusalem and Haifa. 

Why so many? Khalili told the Times of Israel that displaying the 18 murals was a goal he set for himself after “prophetic people” suggested to him that the number 18 was significant, corresponding to the number for chai, Hebrew for "life," or “alive” in gematria.

These murals are intended to be a celebration of life, a message that has become all the more important since Oct. 7, 2023. 

Khalili's first mural was presented in the Jerusalem suburb Talpiot in January. The artwork represents “Woman, Life, Freedom,” with the faces of Iranian Mahsa Amini and three others murdered by the Iranian regime. 

The penultimate mural was unveiled at The Shelter Hostel in Eilat and features Shirel Haim Pour, a Persian Jewish Israeli who was killed by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack last year, alongside three Iranian women who were blinded by the Islamic regime for not covering their hair with a hijab.

His Instagram post displaying the artwork includes the message: “Thank you to Israel for once again being the only country in the Middle East who is standing with the freedom fighting people of Iran.”

The 18th and final mural was revealed near the German Colony in Jerusalem last week – a compilation of all the works in one huge banner.

A number of artists collaborated with Khalili to create the murals which tell the story of brutality and oppression, both of the Iranian people at the hands of their regime, as well as Israelis who have been slain while fighting Iranian proxies in the war precipitated by the Oct. 7 massacre last year.

Khalili, like many Iranians, feels great solidarity with Israel and holds hope that Israel will overthrow the regime. Influential Iranians, such as Elica Lebon, Niyak Ghorbani and Ramin Parsa, have been vocal in their support of Israel, as well as Iranian Jews, such as activist Mandana Dayani.

Former Jerusalem Mayor Hassan-Nahoum expressed Israel’s support for those in Iran.

“The mission of these murals is clear: I want the world to know that the Jews are standing with the freedom-fighting women of Iran.”

Khalili noted that there is no other nation in the Middle East prepared to support the women of Iran like the State of Israel.

One theme that flows through many of the murals is the biblical story of Esther. Set in the Persian Empire, Esther bravely risked her own life to stand up and defend her people. The story links Iran and Israel, told at a time when the people of Israel were in exile in what is Iran on today’s map. 

Khalili urges people everywhere to emulate Esther’s courage. He compared the biblical heroine to Iranian women who are bravely standing up to the regime, and also to Persian Jewish soldiers who lost their lives defending Israel at the hands of Hamas terrorists. 

“Esthers of the world rise up!” Khalili exhorted the crowd gathered for the unveiling of the 8th mural earlier this year at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem.

Referring to fallen IDF soldier, Haim Pour, he said, “Shirel is a modern-day Esther. My hope is for the women of Iran and the women of the Middle East to look at Shirel as a fearless woman who stood up to terror.”

At the final event, Khalili said, "In previous murals, I talked about Esthers of the world rise up but on this one, I put Esthers are rising up: it's happening right now, in front of our eyes. They've heard the call and are rising up."

The artist prayed a version of the priestly blessing over his people, saying, "May the Lord bless Iran and guard and protect her people. May the Lord make his face to shine on Iran and be gracious to the women of Iran. May the Lord turn his face towards the freedom-fighting people of Iran and give them peace.”

“Israel is the only country in the Middle East standing with the women of Iran. These murals inspire the women of Iran to keep fighting,” said Khalili.

“Thank you to Israel. You’re in the midst of a war, and still you chose to stand alongside the freedom-fighting women of Iran. Let’s believe in our lifetimes that Iran will be free.”