An independent artistic and political expression project has released a playing card deck that its creators say documents culpability for the devastation in Gaza. The Deck of Shame: Gaza Genocide Edition, now available at DeckofShame.com and on Amazon, identifies and ranks 52 powerful figures who, according to the project, bear significant responsibility for the genocide in Gaza through their actions or words. The deck is modeled after the 2003 “Most Wanted” playing cards, a format that gained notoriety during the U.S. invasion of Iraq. By adopting that familiar structure, the creators aim to fuse political commentary with collectible art, turning a casual object into a tool for remembrance and debate.
The significance of the launch lies in its explicit attempt to name individuals and assign accountability in a conflict where official investigations remain contested and slow-moving. Each card in the deck pairs a portrait with a ranking, creating a portable, shareable record that can circulate in homes, classrooms, and community spaces. The project also incorporates artwork honoring Hind Rajab, the six-year-old Palestinian girl whose death in Gaza drew international attention. According to the announcement, the inclusion of Rajab’s memory is intended to preserve her story and to remind users that behind every statistic are individual lives. For the creators, the deck is less a game than an act of witness: a way to keep public attention fixed on alleged perpetrators while memorializing victims.
The project’s financial model adds another layer of implication. Deck of Shame allocates 20% of profits to charitable and community giving, beginning with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and grants supporting student and community education and advocacy. That commitment means every purchase contributes to humanitarian assistance for Palestinian children and families, as well as to grassroots efforts that foster awareness and organizing. By linking a consumer product to ongoing aid and education, the initiative attempts to bridge the gap between symbolic protest and material support—a distinction that often separates commentary from concrete impact.
For observers of political art and activism, the Gaza Genocide Edition raises questions about the effectiveness of naming and shaming in an era of polarized media. The deck’s creators argue that documentation itself is a form of pressure, and that preserving a public record of alleged responsibility can influence how history is written. The project also arrives at a moment when cultural products are increasingly scrutinized for their political stances, suggesting that the deck may spark both solidarity and backlash. More details about the full announcement, including downloadable images and bios, can be found through click here. The project is an initiative of Ashby & Gabriel, and its launch underscores how independent creators are using accessible formats to intervene in debates that are often dominated by governments and mainstream media.
Ultimately, the Deck of Shame: Gaza Genocide Edition matters because it transforms a simple deck of cards into a portable archive of accusation and memory. Whether or not one agrees with its rankings, the project forces a conversation about who bears responsibility for violence and how ordinary people can participate in the work of accountability. In a media environment where attention is fleeting, the deck’s creators are betting that a tangible, playable object can keep the question of Gaza alive—one card at a time.
