A British hospital has taken down an exhibition of artwork by Gazan students that contained anti-Israel images after numerous complaints form Jewish patients and being contacted by a pro-Israel group.
The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London had placed the mural prominently in the foyer of its children's ward. It contained, among other anti-Israel depictions, a Palestinian Arab flag flying over a Jewish holy site, the Jewish Chronicle reported.
According to the report, the exhibition caused Jewish hospital patients to feel “vulnerable, offended and harassed.”
The mural, “Crossing Borders – A Festival of Plates”, was created by students at two United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) schools in Gaza. It was displayed at the entrance to the hospital’s outpatient children’s clinic.
Other scenes depicted in the artwork showed “Palestine” covering all of Israel and a huge Palestinian Arab flag flying over the Temple Mount. It also described the Palestinian Arabs' coastal border stretching all the way from Gaza to Lebanon, denying the existence of Israel.
One of the groups expressing concern about the artwork was UK Lawyers For Israel (UKLFI). Their complaint to the hospital noted that the schools involved, Beit Lahia Girls’ School and Jabalia Prep Boys’ A School, have been “indoctrinated” by Hamas.
“It seems incredible that Chelsea and Westminster Hospital would choose to link up with schools from Gaza, where anti-Israel propaganda is rife, with the inevitable effect that such anti-Israel propaganda would be spread to its own hospital school, and to patients and others passing by the display on the wall,” UKLFI Director Caroline Turner told the Chronicle.
Jewish patients asked UKLFI for help, explaining that they felt “harassed” by the exhibit.
“The effect of the exhibition on Jewish people is to make them feel vulnerable and offended, harassed and victimized. Such an exhibition certainly does not promote unity and is very divisive,” Turner said.