Pro-Palestine protesters target Picasso and spill paint at London's National Gallery

9 October 2024, 14:56

Two protestors plastered the photo over the painting on Wednesday.
Two protestors plastered the photo over the painting on Wednesday. Picture: Youth Demand

By Henry Moore

Protestors have plastered a photo of a weeping Gazan mother over a Picasso painting at the National Gallery.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Two activists for Youth Demand entered the gallery at around mid-day on Wednesday before plastering the photo over the protective glass covering Picasso’s 1901 painting Motherhood (La Maternité).

They then proceeded to pour red paint on the floor below the painting.

One of the protestors, NHS worker Jai Halai, said: “I’m taking action with Youth Demand because at this point it’s been over one year of seeing my colleagues in the healthcare field decimated.

“Decimated by bombs, by bullets and by having to operate, with no medical equipment, on starved children.

“We need a two way arms embargo on Israel now; 87% of the British public want this and never before have they been more disillusioned with our Government and political class who do not represent us. We need a revolution in our democracy.”

The photo used by the protestors was taken by Palestinian journalist Ali Jadallah.

A Youth Demand spokesperson added: “Our government is arming Israel to carry out a genocide against Palestinians and killing without restrain in Lebanon. It can’t be all carrots and no sticks: a two-way arms embargo is the least Britain can do to stop displacement, destruction and death!”

This comes just days after Just Stop Oil protestors doused a Van Gogh painting with soup at the National Gallery.

The environmental group shared a video of the activists vandalising the artwork before telling an angry crowd: "There are people in prison for demanding an end to new oil and gas, something which is now government policy after sustained, disruptive actions, countless headlines and the resulting political pressure.

"Future generations will regard these prisoners of conscience to be on the right side of history."

The gallery confirmed the paintings remain unharmed and they aim to reopen the exhibit.

One of the protestors was apprehended by a security guard.
One of the protestors was apprehended by a security guard. Picture: Youth Demand

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 14:40hrs on Friday, 27 September to the National Gallery after a group of Just Stop Oil protesters allegedly threw soup on a painting.

"Three people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and have been taken into custody. Enquiries continue."

One ticker holder told LBC News we go back to New Zealand tomorrow and "doesn’t look like we are going to get into to see the paintings".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
A crime scene remains in place.

Murder investigation underway after stabbing in Brixton as man arrested on the scene

Breaking
Eddie Jordan

Formula One legend Eddie Jordan dies aged 76 following cancer battle

The landfill site in Fleetwood

'It smells so bad it's given me a headache': PM urged to 'stop the stink' by children studying near 'grim' landfill site

People enjoy the hot weather on Brighton Beach in the UK

Britain set for hottest day of the year so far as spring equinox brings temperatures of 21C

Young boys are being targeted in sextortion plots

British teenage boys targeted by Nigerian crime gangs in 'sextortion' plots

The RSPCA has called for cat cafes to be "phased out"

Cat cafes should be 'phased out' amid welfare concerns, says RSPCA

The visit came ahead of peacekeeping talks on Ukraine

PM makes rare visit to top-secret nuclear submarine as UK to host landmark peacekeeping talks on Ukraine

West Midlands Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigate a fatal collision between a police car and a pedestrian.

Man killed in horror collision with police car responding to 999 call in Birmingham

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves hosts a roundtable with the defence sector at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, England, Friday Feb. 28, 2025. (Yui Mok/Pool via AP)

Rachel Reeves to choose spending cuts over tax rises in spring statement

Trump floats US takeover of Ukraine's nuclear plants - as Cleverly warns Putin will 'play off' President's 'urgency' for deal

Trump floats US takeover of Ukraine's nuclear plants amid fears Putin will 'play off' his 'urgency' for peace deal

Nice, France. 29th Mar, 2022. Emmanuel Macron's presidential election 2022 leaflet seen in Nice. The first round of the French Presidential Election 2022 will take place on Sunday 10th April 2022.

Concerns grow as France issues ‘survival manual’ to prepare citizens for invasion

Washington, United States. 24 February, 2025. U.S President Donald Trump, right, walks with French President Emmanuel Macron, left, following bilateral discussions at the White House, February 24, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

Diplomatic row erupts after French researcher expelled from US for expressing 'a personal opinion' on Trump

Woman who duped boyfriend into believing she was pregnant with twins using fake baby bump jailed

Woman who duped boyfriend into believing she was pregnant with twins using fake baby bump jailed

Manhunt underway with public told 'do not approach' after prisoner breaks out of court-bound van on motorway

Manhunt underway with public urged 'do not approach' after prisoner 'faked medical emergency' to escape police van

File photo dated 06-07-2014 of The 2014 Tour De France navigates it's way through York passing Bettys Tea Rooms and the Mansion House. Edinburgh has been chosen to provide a ‘magnificent backdrop’ to the start of the 2027 Tour de France.

Tour de France to return to UK in 2027 with Scotland to host historic dual Grand Departs

British Airways Boeing 777-300ER on a sunny day landing at Singapore Changi Airport

BA crew member 'detained in Singapore' after 'raping stewardess colleague on night out during stopover'