The World Press Photo exhibit held in Beirut was closed down after Lebanese Authority decided they could not accept the presentation of the photo from an Israeli national.
Amit Sha'al is a multiple prize winner photographer. His photos were exposed at the World Press Photo exhibition in Beirut that opened on May 12 and was supposed to be held until 1st of June. General Security Directorate ordered the removal of his work because he is an Israeli. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official member of the General Security noted by way of explanation that the two nations were “in a state of war.”
"For a week it was no problem and then someone noticed that he is an Israeli photographer," said to AP Erik de Kruijf, project manager for the exhibition. He said the Netherland based organisation preferred to shut down the whole exhibit ten days prior to the end rather than removing the work of one of the artists. "We cannot allow censorship of any kind so that's why we decided to take everything down."
Amit work has nothing to do with politics and was awarded 3rd prize in the Arts and Entertainment category. One can still take a look at his work on the World Press Photo website.
The artist said he was really surprised and it was the first time he had been censored because of being Israeli. "Any Lebanese person can go on the Internet today and look what all the fuss is about. Hopefully they will," he said to the Associated Press.
“World Press Photo's mission is to support and promote the work of press photographers and stimulate freedom of expression on an international level. World Press Photo Foundation, based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, operates independently without any political affiliations,” reads the statement from the organisation, internationally recognised as one of the most prestigious award in the profession.
Source close to the exhibit said they were some nagging complaints about the lack of exposure of local photojournalists and doubt these complaints have nothing to do with the demands for removing Amit Sha’al photos.
Many comments were posted on the Facebook page of the event. They express disapointment and sadness. Some of them also say that it was the right decision to make. one could see the disappointment and disbelief of some of the 1 196 Facebook guests who wanted to see the exhibition.
Beirut was really excited with the exhibit who had been given wide press cover in local newspaper. Liliane Chlela, Lebanese artist and DJ performer had performed a live improvised experimental set on the opening day (you can listen to her performance here)
“We regret that we had no other choice and we hope that we will be able to bring our exhibition back to Lebanon soon again," reads the World Press Photo statement.
Lebanon is usually recognised for being one of the rare countries in the middle east allowing freedom of press.
"For a week it was no problem and then someone noticed that he is an Israeli photographer," said to AP Erik de Kruijf, project manager for the exhibition. He said the Netherland based organisation preferred to shut down the whole exhibit ten days prior to the end rather than removing the work of one of the artists. "We cannot allow censorship of any kind so that's why we decided to take everything down."
Amit work has nothing to do with politics and was awarded 3rd prize in the Arts and Entertainment category. One can still take a look at his work on the World Press Photo website.
The artist said he was really surprised and it was the first time he had been censored because of being Israeli. "Any Lebanese person can go on the Internet today and look what all the fuss is about. Hopefully they will," he said to the Associated Press.
“World Press Photo's mission is to support and promote the work of press photographers and stimulate freedom of expression on an international level. World Press Photo Foundation, based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, operates independently without any political affiliations,” reads the statement from the organisation, internationally recognised as one of the most prestigious award in the profession.
Source close to the exhibit said they were some nagging complaints about the lack of exposure of local photojournalists and doubt these complaints have nothing to do with the demands for removing Amit Sha’al photos.
Many comments were posted on the Facebook page of the event. They express disapointment and sadness. Some of them also say that it was the right decision to make. one could see the disappointment and disbelief of some of the 1 196 Facebook guests who wanted to see the exhibition.
Beirut was really excited with the exhibit who had been given wide press cover in local newspaper. Liliane Chlela, Lebanese artist and DJ performer had performed a live improvised experimental set on the opening day (you can listen to her performance here)
“We regret that we had no other choice and we hope that we will be able to bring our exhibition back to Lebanon soon again," reads the World Press Photo statement.
Lebanon is usually recognised for being one of the rare countries in the middle east allowing freedom of press.
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