Phoenix Cinema draws Israeli counter-protest after graffiti

A good and vigourous turnout in support of the Phoenix cinema in East Finchley and tonight’s showing of Supernova: The Music Festival Massacre. The Ham and High local newspaper has a report and there is news on X.

Large crowds waved Israeli flags at a counter-protest after a cinema appeared to be defaced by vandals.

The Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley was expected to be surrounded by pro-Palestinian protesters as campaigners called to boycott the Seret film festival and a private showing of Supernova: The Music Festival Massacre at the venue tonight (May 23).

The documentary tells the story of the young victims and survivors at the Nova festival in Re’im during the October 7 Hamas attack.

But even before the screening took place, the cinema was defaced with graffiti reading ‘say no to art washing’.

To counter the pro-Palestinian action, which was set to take place at 7pm at the same time the film was shown, hundreds of Israeli supporters gathered outside the cinema.

Footage shows many waving Israeli flags, chanting and holding placards to get their voices heard. The Hertfordshire Friends of Israel group said there was “plenty of support for Israel”. Follow the link to see the video

This is from Freedom for Iran Potkin Azarmehr who I used  to meet with March for England but have not seen since before the pandemic – good to see him again through the medium of t’interweb.

Detective Superintendent Will Lexton-Jones said: “We are aware that additional pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators have attended an event outside the Phoenix cinema in Barnet. Section 14 conditions were put in place. This means that demonstrators could continue to protest, but had to move into designated areas. This was to keep all those involved safe.

“Pro-Palestinian protestors have now left the area and officers remain on scene to help minimise congestion and keep roads open.”

The film needs to be shown more widely.