In the wake of the Israel-Gaza War, the divide between institutional reaction and public sentiment continues to widen.
Ahead of next year’s Venice Biennale, the curator and artist for the Australia Pavilion have been removed from their roles, reportedly partly due to their past support of boycotts against Israel. Meanwhile, at the Super Bowl half-time show last week, a protester holding a banner combining the flags of Sudan and Palestine was removed from the stadium.
There has been a noticeable shift. Last year, awards shows and red carpets were full of both overt protests and subtle nods to the Palestinian cause, but now awards bodies and film festivals are reportedly banning political expression in the midst of continued Israeli violence against Palestinians, with few still voicing support in public forums.
On TikTok, users in the United States have reported that phrases such as “Free Palestine” are being flagged as hate speech, something that has only started happening since the platform was reinstated in January.
And yet, among the masses, support for the Palestinian cause remains steadfast. From the occupied West Bank, game designer Rasheed Abueideh has raised more than $200,000 through a crowdfunding campaign for his next video game set during the Nakba.
Speaking to The National, Abueideh says he is grateful for the support his crowdfunding campaign has received from around the world. “There were many who were just pro-Palestine in their stance. Even though they were not Arab or Muslim, they also contributed to the success of the campaign,” he says.
The game, Dreams on a Pillow, is about a Palestinian mother named Omm who was forcefully evicted from her house during the Nakba. The story goes that as she was leaving the house, distraught and discombobulated, she carried a pillow, mistaking it for her child.
“I didn’t think it was a true story at first, but I did some research and it seems to have really happened, according to first-hand accounts,” says Abueideh. “I had first heard it from a famous Arab anthology series, which acted out the story, and it stayed with me for years.”
Abueideh is far from the only emerging talent to see his work embraced since October 7. Artists such as Ahmad Adawy, who lives in Gaza, have seen their work go viral worldwide.
But it is not only the audiences who have grown as a result of the increased focus on Palestine. The work itself has changed, often becoming darker in the wake of great pain.
“Previously, my art celebrated beauty, hope and a vision for a brighter future,” Adawy says from his house in northern Gaza. “I loved painting joyful scenes, expressing optimism even amid hardship. But now, as a husband and father of three daughters, the experience has taken on a terrifying dimension. Watching the fear in my wife's and daughters’ eyes with each explosion is a constant reminder of how fragile our world has become.”
Creatives across disciplines, including Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer, have seen their work evolve and audiences grow. The second season of his series Mo, released last month, is pulling in large viewer figures on Netflix.
While Amer is thankful that people around the world have woken up to the Palestinian struggle, he is also clear that the rising global support does not influence his art.
“It had zero influence on us because we’ve always been there,” Amer says. “We know the story. It’s more like, welcome everybody. Welcome into our hell. Come and watch this.”
Even as institutional resistance stands against calls for a free Palestine, leaders in the arts have shown that they will stick together. Last week, Jewish stars including Jonathan Glazer, Wallace Shawn and Joaquin Phoenix signed a letter published in the New York Times responding to US President Trump’s calls for the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza, saying: “Jewish people say no to ethnic cleansing.”
And in response to the alleged censorship by the Australia Pavilion in Venice, several Australian artists including those shortlisted to showcase work in the pavilion – Hayley Millar Baker, James Nguyen, Mel O’Callaghan and Jenna Mayilema Lee – also issued a joint public letter to the board of Creative Australia and criticised the move.
“We believe that revoking support for the current Australian artist and curator representatives for Venice Biennale 2026 is antithetical to the goodwill and hard-fought artistic independence, freedom of speech and moral courage that is at the core of arts in Australia, which plays a crucial role in our thriving and democratic nation,” they wrote.
This kind of unity has power and has shown the world that people will not quieten their calls for a free Palestine. For better or for worse, in the wake of unfathomable tragedy, nothing will ever be the same. No one will forget or forgive. Suppression will not result in peace – justice will.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More on Quran memorisation:
The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
