Protestors replace Picasso's ‘Motherhood’ with image of ‘Palestinian mother’ at National Gallery
London: Two activists from the group Youth Demand replaced Pablo Picasso’s painting Motherhood at the National Gallery in London with a photograph of a Gazan mother and child, calling for a two-way arms embargo on Israel. The incident took place on Wednesday, with protesters covering the 1901 artwork with the photograph and pouring red paint on the gallery floor to symbolise bloodshed in Gaza.
The protesters were identified as 23-year-old NHS worker Jai Halai and 21-year-old politics student Monday-Malachi Rosenfeld. The photograph used, taken by Anadolu Agency’s photojournalist Ali Jadallah, depicted a mother holding her injured child after an Israeli air strike at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City in 2023.
Halai, explaining the motive behind the action, stated: “I’m taking action with Youth Demand because it’s been over a year of seeing my colleagues in the healthcare field decimated by bombs and bullets.” He emphasised the need for a two-way arms embargo on Israel, citing that 87 per cent of the British public support this measure, while the government continues to arm Israel.
Rosenfeld, a Jewish student at Greenwich University, also condemned the situation, asserting, “As a Jew, I feel it’s my duty to call out the genocide being committed in Gaza. This is not being done in the Jewish name. When Keir Starmer says Britain stands with Israel, he’s wrong. We know very well this is not self-defence—this is genocide.”
A spokesperson for Youth Demand reiterated the group’s position, condemning the UK government for allegedly arming Israel to carry out genocide against Palestinians. The group vowed to continue resisting until justice is achieved.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to thousands of casualties, mostly women and children, with widespread displacement in Gaza due to the continued blockade, which has caused severe shortages of basic necessities. Israel currently faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
Protester covers Picasso's 'Motherhood' with an image of a Palestinian mother and child in a powerful act of protest. pic.twitter.com/ROV7woS8tW
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Some records and milestones as England scores an extraordinary 823 runs against Pakistan
Multan (Pakistan), Oct 10: Cricket's 2,553th test match won't be forgotten in a hurry.
England set records and reached milestones in compiling an extraordinary 823-7 declared against Pakistan in Multan.
Here's a flavor of them:
TOTAL SCORE
It was the fourth time a team scored more than 800 runs — and the first time this century. Only three totals have been bigger: Sri Lanka's 952-6 declared against India in 1997; England's 903-7 declared against Australia in 1938; and England's 849 all out against the West Indies in 1930
JOE ROOT
Root became England's highest run-scorer in tests during his career-best knock of 262 as he surpassed Alastair Cook. He moved to fifth place on the all-time list, behind only Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid.
HARRY BROOK
Brook outscored Root in hitting 317, tied for 20th in the list of highest individual scores in test cricket. He became the sixth Englishman to make a triple-hundred, and the first since Graham Gooch in 1990.
PARTNERSHIP
Root and Brook put on a partnership of 454 runs, the highest ever for England and the fourth highest in test history. The biggest remains 624 between Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene for Sri Lanka against South Africa in 2006.
BOWLING
Six Pakistan bowlers conceded more than 100 runs. It is just the second time that has happened in tests, after Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in 2004.
