Photo Removal in Deauville Exhibit Raises Anger Among The French  

CROSSFIREARABIA – A photo by Palestinian photographer Jihad Al Sharafi in Gaza was transformed into a wide political and cultural controversy in France after it was taken, and suddenly, out of the Deauville Sports Images Festival; it was replaced by a photo of motorbikers. The ‘controversial’ photograph taken by Associated Press photographer Al Sharafi documents a football game by two youths playing in a field rehabilitated in Gaza City and surrounded by destroyed buildings from all sides caused by the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. The removed photo was supposed to stay in the photography exhibition till 6 September as an image that documents the relations between sports and public life. The removal of the photo, thought to be made after much pressure from the Jewish lobby in the country, has created a deluge of criticism in France about the freedom of the press. (For more see Palestine Information Center).