Mon Dec 30 14:40:56 UTC 2024: ## Global Art World Divides Over Palestine: Solidarity Amidst Censorship and Repression

**London/New York** – The past year has witnessed a global artistic response to the violence in Gaza, marked by both fervent solidarity with Palestine and significant censorship of pro-Palestinian art. While artists worldwide expressed support for Palestine, often highlighting the deaths of Palestinian artists killed during the conflict, numerous instances of institutional repression and self-censorship have emerged.

Estimates suggest over 45,000 Palestinians were killed in the conflict (with some estimates reaching 220,000), including numerous artists. The article names several prominent victims, including painter Heba Zagout, renowned artist Fathi Ghaben, writer Refaat Alareer, and illustrator Mahasen al-Khatib, highlighting the devastating impact on Palestinian artistic expression.

Numerous acts of solidarity are cited, including the withdrawal of artwork from the Barbican Centre in London in protest of a cancelled lecture on the Palestinian genocide, Egyptian artist Mohamed Abla’s return of a prestigious German award, and a mass open letter urging the exclusion of Israel from the Venice Biennale. Turner Prize winner Jasleen Kaur also used her acceptance speech to condemn the violence and call for a free Palestine.

However, the article details a significant counter-narrative of censorship. Several exhibitions featuring Palestinian art were cancelled, artists faced repercussions for expressing solidarity, and institutions, such as the Arts Council England, reportedly warned against politically charged statements that could jeopardize funding. This censorship, the author argues, represents a double standard, particularly given the seemingly contrasting support shown for Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

The article concludes with a call to action, urging the international art community to continue its support for Palestine and to resist the silencing of pro-Palestinian voices. The author emphasizes the moral imperative to stand in solidarity with Palestinians facing what they describe as genocide, demanding accountability from governments and institutions complicit in the repression of Palestinian art and expression.

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