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🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

Pro-Palestinian activists convicted of criminal damage after targeting Picasso artwork

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Pro-Palestinian activists have been convicted of criminal damage for covering a Pablo Picasso painting at the National Gallery in London with a poster related to the Gaza conflict.
  • The activists, part of the group Youth Demand, were protesting to demand an arms embargo on Israel.
  • Security intervened during the protest, which also involved red paint being poured on the gallery floor, leading to the activists' arrest and subsequent conviction.

Two pro-Palestinian activists have been found guilty of criminal damage after a protest at London's National Gallery. The demonstrators, associated with the group Youth Demand, targeted Pablo Picasso's masterpiece "Motherhood" by covering it with a poster referencing the conflict in Gaza.

The protest aimed to pressure the UK government into imposing a two-way arms embargo on Israel. Video footage showed security staff quickly intervening as the activists affixed the poster to the artwork's protective glass. One guard forcibly removed a protester, who then chanted "Free, free, Palestine!" Another demonstrator poured red paint on the gallery floor.

Free, free, Palestine!

— activistChanted by an activist as security removed him from the National Gallery.

During the commotion, the activists shouted that the UK government is complicit in genocide. The targeted painting, Picasso's 1901 work "Motherhood," is a significant piece within the National Gallery's collection. Youth Demand stated their action was to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and halt arms sales.

Legal proceedings followed the disruption, resulting in the recent guilty verdicts for criminal damage against the individuals involved.

The UK government is complicit in genocide

— activistShouted by activists during the protest at the National Gallery.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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