Pro-Palestinian protester damages portrait of Lord Balfour at University of Cambridge

[dutchman]

Former PM was one of the chief supporters of creating a Jewish homeland in Palestine, cemented by the 1917 Balfour Declaration



A portrait of Lord Balfour, the former prime minister, at the University of Cambridge has been damaged by a pro-Palestinian protester.

In video posted on social media by Palestine Action, a member of the group is seen spray-painting and slashing the portrait at Trinity College. A woman can be seen defacing the work with red paint before slicing the canvas with a sharp object.

Balfour was one of the chief supporters of creating a Jewish homeland in Palestine, cemented by the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which gave British backing to the movement.

A nephew of Lord Salisbury, he succeeded his uncle as prime minister in 1902 and subsequently became foreign secretary.

A Trinity College spokesman said: “Trinity College regrets the damage caused to a portrait of Arthur James Balfour during public opening hours. The police have been informed. Support is available for any member of the College community affected.”

A spokesman for Cambridge Police said: “This afternoon we received an online report of criminal damage today to a painting at Trinity College, Cambridge.

“Officers are attending the scene to secure evidence and progress the investigation. No arrests have been made at this stage.”

Palestine Action were contacted for comment.

[dutchman]

I suspect the police will claim there's "not enough evidence" to arrest anybody?

[rebbonk]

I support anyone's right to peaceful protest, but this is nothing more than wanton vandalism. If plod make an arrest (doubtful as they seem incapable of finding their own ar$e using both hands and a map), I expect little action will be taken by the courts.