An investigation has been initiated by the police following an incident where a radical pro-Palestinian activist vandalized a significant British artwork portraying Lord Arthur James Balfour at Cambridge University. The activist, associated with the militant group ‘Palestine Action,’ destroyed a 1914 portrait of Lord Balfour at Trinity College of the University of Cambridge.
The painting was slashed with a knife and splattered with red paint. The Cambridgeshire Police received an online report of the criminal damage to the 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.”
A spokeswoman for Trinity College added: “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.”
The group that claimed responsibility for the attack stated: “Palestine Action ruined a 1914 painting by Philip Alexius de László inside Trinity College, University of Cambridge of Lord Arthur James Balfour – the colonial administrator and signatory of the Balfour Declaration.”
“An activist slashed the homage and sprayed the artwork with red paint, symbolising the bloodshed of the Palestinian people since the Balfour Declaration was issued in 1917,” the group added.
#Breaking – Pro-Palestine protester defaces and slashes a historic 1914 painting of Lord Balfour at Trinity College, Cambridge University. Awful scenes to see at my alma mater. pic.twitter.com/uoAgZSzFwM
— Jonathan Harounoff (@JonathanHaroun1) March 8, 2024
