Furious Clashes in North London! Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestine Protesters Battle Outside Vandalized Cinema Over Controversial Festival Massacre Film

Hi and welcome to this Video Production News update.

Pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protesters clashed outside the historic Phoenix Cinema in North London, just hours after the venue was vandalised with red graffiti condemning a film about Hamas's October 7 atrocities.

The heated confrontation followed the vandalism incident, which police are investigating as a potential hate crime. Graffiti on the cinema's front doors read "Say no to artwashing," referencing the contentious screening of "Supernova: The Music Festival Massacre" as part of the 13th Seret Israeli Film Festival.

Renowned directors Ken Loach and Mike Leigh resigned as patrons of the Phoenix in protest against the cinema hosting the Israeli film festival. Pro-Palestine groups, including Artists for Palestine UK, called for the screening's cancellation, criticizing it as part of an "artwashing strategy" by Israel to obscure its actions against Palestinians.

Pro-Palestine supporters organized a vigil outside the cinema, which was met by hundreds of pro-Israeli protesters carrying national flags and placards.

The Israeli supporters chanted slogans such as "bring them home," in reference to those kidnapped by Hamas during the Supernova music festival attack on October 7, and "shame on you!" aimed at the pro-Palestine protesters.

Police formed barriers to keep the two groups apart, though tensions ran high with both sides trading insults. Muliple videos showed Pro-Palestinian supporter engaging in offensive chants, which included potentially sensitive terms typically used in support of Hamas a prescribed terrorist organisation in the UK.

The film "Supernova: The Music Festival Massacre" documents the brutal attack by Hamas terrorists on October 7, where Israeli and foreign nationals were raped, murdered, and kidnapped. Among the victims was 26-year-old Noa Argamani, whose abduction became one of the most harrowing images of the atrocities.

Alex Deane, Tory candidate for Finchley and Golders Green, attended the protest in support of the cinema, sharing a video of the large turnout. The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity protecting British Jews from antisemitism, praised the significant show of community solidarity and thanked the Metropolitan Police and CST volunteers for their efforts.

Opened in 1912, the Phoenix Cinema is the oldest continuously operating cinema in the UK. In response to the vandalism, more than 400 supporters have pledged nearly £10,000 for repairs.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that no arrests have been made yet regarding the graffiti. They are treating the incident as a potential hate crime and are committed to ensuring safety during the protests while minimizing community disruption.

A spokesperson for Phoenix Cinema emphasized their commitment to freedom of expression, stating that the cinema does not take sides and would support screenings of challenging films from both Israeli and Palestinian perspectives.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.

Bénédict Tarot Freeman

Editor-at-Large

VPN City-Desk

citydesk@vpnldn.co.uk