08 March 2024 , 19:36
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A historic painting of a former Tory PM was destroyed on Friday after being targeted by pro-Palestine protesters.
The portrait of Arthur Balfour was defaced with red paint by activists at Cambridge's Trinity College, with the group Palestine Action claiming members were involved. Lord Balfour was a leader between 1902 and 1905 and later signed the Balfour Declaration as Foreign Secretary in 1917.
The Declaration was a public document stating Britain's official approval of Palestine as "a national home for the Jewish people". Footage was shared online by Palestine Action on Friday afternoon of the demonstrator daubing the artwork by Philip Alexius de László in red paint.
Both Trinity College and the police confirmed they were aware of the incident. A spokesperson for the college said: "Trinity College regrets the damage caused to a portrait of Arthur James Balfour during public opening hours. The police have been informed. Support is available for any member of the College community affected."
A painting of Althur Balfour was defaced by pro-Palestine protesters on Friday
Lord Balfour was responsible for the Balfour Declaration in 1917 as Foreign Secretary, declaring UK recognition of Palestine as a 'home for the Jewish people' (Getty Images)Cambridgeshire Police said it received a report online relating to criminal damage. A spokesperson for the force said: "Officers are attending the scene to secure evidence and progress the investigation. No arrests have been made at this stage."
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Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said he was "appalled by the moronic act of wanton vandalism". Writing on X, he posted: "Perpetrators should face the full force of the law."
In a statement on its site, Palestine Action said the painting was targeted to highlight the ongoing casualties in Gaza at the hands of Israel in response to the October 7 attacks by Hamas. The group added: "An activist slashed the homage and sprayed the artwork with red paint, symbolising the bloodshed of the Palestinian people since the Balfour Declaration was issued in 1917."
A painting of Althur Balfour was defaced by pro-Palestine protesters on FridayThe death toll in Gaza is currently more than 30,000 people, according to Hamas' health ministry, most of whom it claims were women and children. Israeli Defence Forces launched their ground offensive over the border in October following the attacks by Hamas militants.
Palestine Action also referenced Britain's direct involvement in the historical conflict in their statement, citing troops "burning down" villages in 1948 amidst the creation of Israel. "With this came arbitrary killings, arrests, torture, sexual violence including rape against women and men, the use of human shields and the introduction of home demolitions as collective punishment to repress Palestinian resistance," the group said.
"The British were initiating the ethnic cleansing of Palestine, fulfilling the Zionist aim to build their 'home' over the top of what were Palestinian communities, towns, villages, farms and ancestral land." The group said Palestine continued to face ethnic cleansing leading to what was described as "an intensified genocide in Gaza".
The stunt followed news the UK will join the US and other allies to create a maritime corridor to deliver aid directly to Gaza. Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the UK would be working with the US to provide aid by sea, tweeting: "People in Gaza are in desperate humanitarian need."
"Alongside the US, the UK and partners have announced we will open a maritime corridor to deliver aid directly to Gaza." Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has so far resisted pressure to call for an immediate ceasefire, despite declaring support for an "immediate humanitarian pause" on the attacks.
Pro-Palestine activists have also targeted various corporations and organisations in calls for a ceasefire. Last month, activists in Manchester chained themselves to an office of BNY Mellon - a bank which has £10million in shares in Israeli-based military technology firm Elbit Systems.
Twickenham Stadium was also targeted by Palestine Action activists who sprayed red paint on the home of English rugby in protest over its hosting an arms fair.