A London cinema showing a documentary film about the October 7 Hamas terror attacks has been vandalised by pro-Palestine protesters - sparking counter-protests and a police probe.
The Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley, North London, was daubed with graffiti which read "say no to art washing", and follows a string of boycott calls over its participation in the part-Israeli-funded Seret International Film Festival.
Protesters had claimed showing the documentary formed part of an effort to justify Israel's military response to the attacks in Gaza, but the cinema became surrounded by pro-Israel demonstrators today who came to support the venue "against antisemites".
Alex Deane, a Conservative candidate for the cinema's Finchley and Golders Green constituency, posted footage of the counter-protests to social media, with the caption: "That’s the most successful counter-protest I've ever seen. That's how it's done!"
Josh Howie, who appears on GB News' Headliners, slammed the original graffiti at his local cinema as being there "for committing the crime of showing a documentary about Jews being murdered at a music festival".
More locals asked: "How can a film about innocent young people butchered, raped and abducted be 'Art Washing'?"
A statement from festival organisers Seret said: "In recent months, the festival has faced challenges and pressures on cinema houses, with threats of boycotts and demands for cancellations.
"However, Seret remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting Israeli culture through cinema and refuses to succumb to censorship or cancellation."
More to follow...
