In Brooklyn, New York, a “wall of tears” for the thousands of children killed in Gaza

HAS Brooklyna huge 15 meter long fresco pays tribute to the children killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023. Titled Wall of Tearsthe artist’s installation Phil Buehler lists the names of more than 18,000 children, listed in chronological order of death, on a vinyl wall installed outside a neighborhood bar. Conceived as a work that is both monumental and intimate, the fresco combines lists of names, portraits and individual stories, in order to give a face to victims who are often reduced to numbers. Produced with the support of the association Radio Free Brooklynthe project is based on data from the Gaza Ministry of Health, as of July 2025.

For the artist, the objective is clear: to show the extent of the tragedy while arousing empathy, in a New York context marked by strong tensions around the conflict. “You can be devastated by the death of one child, but feel overwhelmed by thousands. This wall tries to make you feel both at the same time,” he explains.

The installation was inaugurated despite difficult weather conditions, on a symbolic date: the anniversary of the death of Hind Rajabfive years old, left to die in a car riddled with bullets after an Israeli attack. His story, which has become iconic, was recently brought to the screen in The Voice of Hind Rajaba film by the director Kaouther Ben Hanianominated for an Oscar, which restores the audio recordings of his last cries for help.

Exhibited near the Pine Box Rock Shop bar, the fresco is also part of a very polarized New York political climate. While the debate on Gaza deeply divides the city, the artist insists on the need to distinguish criticism of the war from any form of anti-Semitism, an amalgamation that he considers paralyzing for dialogue. “This wall does not take sides against a people, but for the memory of children whose lives were brutally interrupted,” he summarizes.