The case in a nutshell Artist Rune Furelid has exhibited a work of art in Ålesund that depicts Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as Adolf Hitler. The artwork has created strong reactions both locally and internationally. The Israeli ambassador to Norway, Avi Nir-Feldklein, has expressed shock and disappointment at the painting, and thinks it damages Norway’s reputation. Furelid has received both criticism and support for his artwork, but says that he uses his voice as an artist to focus on something he thinks is important. Despite great attention, the painting has still not been sold. Furelid has considered auctioning it off and giving the money to Doctors Without Borders. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – There was an American tourist who came in and stood shouting and spitting in my face. I had someone who was going to buy a picture that just had to go out, because the situation was so extreme. This is how artist Rune Furelid describes one of the reactions he has received to the artwork he has exhibited in his gallery in Ålesund. In the window facing one of the busiest tourist streets in the city stands the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, portrayed as Adolf Hitler. Painted in Nazi uniform with a small dark moustache. On the side is the text: “Do unto others as others do unto you” Photo: Josef Benoni Ness Tveit / news – Bad impression of Norway And it’s not just passers-by who have reacted. In particular, a message on X is particularly important. The message comes from the Israeli ambassador to Norway, Avi Nir-Feldklein. Along with a picture of Furelid’s painting, the ambassador quotes a message from an Israeli tourist. There, the tourist writes that he is shocked by the distortion of the holocaust, the lack of respect, and the way the artwork makes fun of the 7 October massacre. He further quotes: “that this is happening in a country that has sent the Jewish population to concentration camps”. The ambassador writes that he has received messages from many Israeli tourists – and Norwegians – who have reacted to the painting. Photo: news Photo: news news has been in contact with the Israeli ambassador. In an e-mail to news, the ambassador writes that he is disappointed by the measurement. – I have said this many times. One is welcome to criticize Israel, but that is not what this picture is about. This picture is Holocaust distortion and it is shameful. He also believes that the painting damages the reputation of Norway. news has asked questions about why the ambassador published this message, and whether it is not important to protect artistic freedom. The embassy would not respond to this. Not surprised. The artist himself had not seen the message on X. It was a customer who made him aware of what the ambassador had published. – Many people have a lot to say about this work, and he also has the right to express his opinion. But I want to point a finger and clarify that I am anti-war, not anti-Semitic, says Furelid. – Saying no to genocide and illegal occupation is not anti-Semitism. My image goes after Netanyahu, not the Jews as a people. But he knows that his art can create reactions. Rune Furelid has received many reactions to his picture. Photo: Josef Benoni Ness Tveit / news – I understand that the picture may be provocative for some. But I use my voice as an artist to focus on something that I think is important. – Could you have done it in a more gentle way? – Could Netanyahu’s response after the terrorist attack on 7 October have been done in a more gentle way? Are 40,000 Palestinians, half of whom are children and civilians, a gentle response to a terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis? Furelid asks back. Crazy response Thousands of tourists and locals pass the meter every day. One of them is Christine Ongogo from Kenya. She understands that painting can be provocative. – I understand why he gets angry, because of the history. The painting is political. That says more than a thousand words. Christine Ongogo quickly noticed the picture when she came to Ålesund before the weekend. Photo: Synnøve Hole / news Not all tourists and passers-by are content to look at the painting from the street. Furelid has had several unpleasant experiences inside the gallery. – There are some tourists, especially from the USA, who can be quite extreme. Who shout that they hate me, and ask me to quit and leave. Who says I’m a Jew-hater, which I’m not. And that I support Hamas, which I don’t do. The artist has received reactions from people from all over the world. – It has been crazy. Lots of emails and messages. But the majority are positive messages of support. Rune Furelid says that every day he gets reactions to the artwork that is on display facing one of the busiest streets in the tourist town of Ålesund. Photo: Josef Benoni Ness Tveit / news Not for sale Despite great attention, the painting has still not been sold. – Several people have approached and want to buy it, but the picture has not been for sale. I am considering auctioning it off and giving all the money to Doctors Without Borders for the heroic efforts they make in Gaza. Correction: In the first version of the case it was stated that the Israeli ambassador has written on X that he is shocked by the distortion of the holocaust, the lack of respect and the way the painting makes fun of the 7 October massacre. The correct thing is that the ambassador quoted a message with this content, which he had received from an Israeli tourist. Change at 21.30. Published 24/08/2024, at 19.29 Updated 24.08.2024, at 21.41
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The Israeli ambassador in armor over the graffiti image of Rune Furelid in Ålesund – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
