Football photograph taken in Gaza removed from festival in France

At the international sports photography festival held in the French town of Deauville, a football match photograph taken in Gaza by Palestinian photojournalist Jehad Alshrafi, who works for the AP, was removed following anonymous requests.

Removal of the Photograph from the Festival

A controversial decision was made at the international Deauville Sports Photography Festival held in the coastal town of Deauville in the Normandy region. A work shot in Gaza by Palestinian photojournalist Jehad Alshrafi, who works for the Associated Press, was removed from the exhibition.

Festival organizers removed the photograph following certain anonymous requests and replaced it with a different frame featuring a group of cyclists. Although local authorities confirmed that the photograph was removed, they provided no justification for this decision.

Details of the Frame and Reactions

The frame captured by Alshrafi on February 14 featured moments of a football match between Gazan and Egyptian players among the ruins in Gaza. This image quickly drew the attention of politicians and non-governmental organizations.

The incident came to light when local politician Sylvain Larcher, a member of the Socialist Party, noticed the situation and announced it to the public. Following the decision, many figures expressed their reactions on social media platforms.

Criticism from Political Figures and NGOs

The decision faced harsh criticism nationally and internationally, being described as censorship. Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure and Member of Parliament Arthur Delaporte reacted to the situation on social media.

Additionally, EP member Emma Fourreau and Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard were among those who criticized the decision, condemning the festival management's stance.