Occupation in Paradise: A Journey Through the Jordan Valley

• Prize
  Honorable Mention
• Photographer
  Maya Hed, Israel
• Studio
  Maya Hed Photography
• Website
  https://www.mayahed.com/
• Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/mayahed_/

In the breathtaking landscapes of Ras al-Ein, paradise is pierced by daily settler violence. Beneath the hills and silence lies a brutal reality—demolitions, burnt mosques, raids and false arrests. Looking the Occupation in the Eye organizes protective presence, walking with Palestinian herding communities through danger. This is a journey between fear and resilience, listening as the land speaks through those who refuse to be ethnically cleansed. It also led to my first arrest. Dedicated to Muhammed Al-Rashidi. May his memory be a blessing for the end of the occupation and beginning of peace.
The book is in production with Itay Bahur Publishing.

Maya Hed was born in Los Angeles and moved to Israel in the late 1990s, studying photography at Kiryat Ono College. She specializes in portraiture, creating long-term series with natural light to capture authentic emotions and personal stories. Her work has been shown in solo exhibitions at the Israeli Opera, Hava Rosenberg Gallery, and The Scots Hotel, and in over 50 group exhibitions worldwide. She has received awards from IPA, PX3, BIFA, TIFA, and LICC, and works as a freelance documentarian in Tel Aviv.

Awards 2025:
PX3- Won a Bronze Award, a Silver Award an Honorable Mention.
IPA- Received two Honorable Mentions.

2024:
PX3- Won a Bronze Award and received an Honorable Mention.
IPA- Won 3rd place and received an Honorable Mention.
BIFA- Won a Silver Award and received an Honorable Mention.
TIFA- Won a Silver Award.
LICC- 3 projects were included in the Official Selection in SHOOT(Photo/Video) two were included in the finalists.

2023:
PX3 2023- Won a Gold Award.
IPA 2023- Won 2nd place and received an Honorable Mention.
TIFA 2023- Won a Silver and Bronze Award.
BIFA 2023- Won a Gold Award and Honorable Mention.
LICC 2023- Was included in the Official Selection in SHOOT(Photo/Video) for five projects and two were included in the Shot List.

2022:
TIFA 2022- Won a Silver Award and Honorable Mention
BIFA 2022- Won a Silver Award and two Honorable Mentions.
IPA 2022- Received an Honorable Mention.
LICC 2022- Was included in the Official Selection in SHOOT(Photo/Video) for four projects.

2021
Won an Honorable Mention from PX3 - The Prix de la Photographie in Fine Art- Abstract.

Won an Honorable Mention from The International Photography Awards™ in People- Lifestyle.

Won an Honorable Mention from Budapest International Foto Awards in People-Lifestyle.

Won a Bronze Award from Budapest International Foto Awards in People-Lifestyle.

Won an Honorable Mention from Tokyo International Foto Awards in People-Lifestyle.

Won an Honorable Mention from Tokyo International Foto Awards in People-Lifestyle.

Was included in the London International Creative Competition Official Selection in SHOOT (Photo/Video).

Was included in the London International Creative Competition Official Selection in SHOOT (Photo/Video).