The controversy follows backlash over two nurses’ anti-Semitic remarks, with Muslim groups accusing politicians of ’selective outrage’ and ignoring Gaza.
The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) is under fire from the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) after censoring two Palestinian flags in an exhibition.
AFIC condemned the act, calling it a direct attack on Palestinian identity and a dangerous precedent for cultural expression, while reports suggest the artists accepted the decision under duress.
Censorship Sparks Condemnation
AFIC labelled the act “cowardice” and an endorsement of efforts to erase Palestinian culture. The flags were part of the Te Paepae Aora’i—Where the Gods Cannot be Fooled exhibition, which explores themes of justice and Indigenous identity.
“The deliberate erasure of the Palestinian flag is a direct endorsement of the ongoing Zionist campaign to suppress, dehumanise, and erase the Palestinian people from history,” AFIC stated.
Artwork Aimed at Reflecting Calls for Social Justice
The artwork, which includes the Palestinian flags alongside other symbols such as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and the West Papua flag, represents calls for social justice by various Indigenous and Pacific peoples.
Rateb Jneid, President of AFIC, called the act part of a disturbing trend where Palestinian symbols and culture are labelled as “controversial” or “divisive.”
“Palestinians are not an abstract concept. They exist. Their history exists. Their struggle exists,” Jneid stated.
He went on to highlight that public institutions across Australia were bowing to external pressures that led to the erasure of Palestinian identity.
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“This censorship sends a clear message. Palestinians are not allowed to represent themselves. Their culture is to be erased. Their supporters are to be silenced,” he added.
AFIC Calls for Immediate Action
In response to the censorship, AFIC has demanded that the NGA immediately restore the artwork to its original form, asserting that art institutions should challenge and inspire rather than silence expression.
The federation also called on the Australian government to issue directives to all public institutions, ensuring that Palestinian identity is no longer suppressed.
The group further called for the protection of Palestinian self-determination advocates, who are increasingly targeted for their stance on justice and human rights.
“We demand an unequivocal acknowledgment of the right of Palestinians to be represented in all fields, art, academia, and public discourse, without harassment, censorship, or intimidation,” AFIC said.
Muslim Groups Criticise Double Standards and Selective Outrage
This incident follows a wave of discontent within the Muslim community.
A coalition of Muslim organisations and leaders issued an open letter on Feb. 18, condemning what they call “selective outrage” over an incident involving two Sydney nurses.
The nurses had boasted about harming Jewish patients, which sparked swift public condemnation.
However, the Muslim groups argued that politicians and the media were ignoring Israeli actions in Gaza, which they viewed as a form of double standards.
“We condemn the hypocrisy over the nurses’ controversy,” the letter read.
“As representatives of the Muslim community in Australia, we affirm that all forms of discrimination based on race and religion are unacceptable, and that healthcare should be provided justly to all.
“However, this statement addresses the selective outrage and political motivations surrounding the recent controversy.”
The letter also stated that frustration directed at Israel was a response to its policies, not an expression of hatred towards Jewish people.
