In an open letter a group of Israeli museum directors have called on the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to condemn the October 7 Hamas attack.
Two weeks have passed since the horrific aack on Israel started, leaving a horrifying toll of over 1,400 dead, 3,500 wounded, and about 200 kidnapped. Hamas militants crossed the border and brutally attacked communities just inside Israel, resulting in the deaths of women, the elderly, children, and young families. Every day, thousands of missiles fall on Israeli cies, targeng Chrisans, Muslims, and Jews equally. France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States are among more than 40 naons that have categorically denounced Hamas and classified its strategies as terrorist. We value their unflinching denunciaon of such acts of terror and their persistent support. Their unwavering statements are supported by deeds that demonstrate a change in the way the world views the circumstance, acknowledging the dramac turn of events that has occurred since last week.
Although we are aware of the criques aimed at Israel, it is crucial to stress that the horrific aacks carried out by Hamas, backed by Iran, have no excuse, and we vehemently oppose any effort at reasoning them out. Hamas's acvies amount to nothing less than the heinous murder, rape, torture, and detenon of defenceless civilians. We demand that ICOM condemn these acts of terror with the utmost fervour.
To be clear: This is not another episode in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hamas and Islamic Jihad have shown themselves to be brutal and inhumane organizations, akin to the Taliban and the Islamic State.
We also want to remind the ICOM community that Israel is a liberal democracy that protects freedom of expression, diversity, and the arts—values that the ICOM community shares, as shown by the most recent revisions to the definion of a Museum. These exact ideals are being aacked by Hamas in their assault on our cies and communies.
Since the aack, museum employees naonwide have acted in accordance with ICOM’s regulaons to safeguard the priceless arfacts, ethnological specimens, and archaeology under their care. The commied personnel at work face risks because of these efforts. In these trying mes, Israeli museums also serve society by boosng people's spirits and offering space for contemplaon. Their work is far from complete, and we hope the ICOM community will connue to support us in defending these important principles.
We sincerely implore the ICOM community to condemn the massacre of defenceless cizens by Hamas and to declare a bold stance in support of humanity and liberalism.
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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