Arna Mer-Khamis

Arna Mer-Khamis (; 20 March 1929 – 15 February 1995) Mer-Khamis's father was Gideon Mer, a Lithuanian-born Jewish scientist who pioneered the study of malaria during the British Mandate. She attended high school in Tiberias as well as Ben Shemen Youth Village, and was active in the Gordonia youth movement. Mer-Khamis fought with the Palmach and Israel Defense Forces during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Mer-Khamis married Saliba Khamis, a Christian Arab and a prominent member of Maki. After marrying Khamis, they moved to Nazareth, where Mer-Khamis was arrested and imprisoned for two weeks due to entering the city without a permit. Juliano, an actor, filmmaker, and peace activist who was murdered in 2011, directed the film Arna's Children about Mer-Khamis's work with the Freedom Theatre.

Political activism Mer-Khamis was an active member of the Communist party in Israel. During the First Intifada, as part of a project to support the education of children in the West Bank, she established the organisation In the Defence of Children under Occupation/Care and Learning, and later established the Freedom Theatre in Jenin refugee camp.

Awards In 1993, Mer-Khamis was awarded the Right Livelihood Award. In her acceptance speech, Arna Mer-Khamis expressed her sympathy for Palestinian refugee children and their sufferings.