A planned exhibition commemorating Palestinian children killed in Gaza has been cancelled by Shoalhaven City Council, with organisers claiming the decision was based on staff safety concerns despite the absence of any specific threat
The Wall of Tears exhibition was due to open at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery on November 4. However, Shoalhaven Friends of Palestine says it was informed on October 28 that the exhibition would not proceed.
In a statement, the group said Council’s risk assessment proposed measures including security personnel, metal detector screening, restricted entry and consideration of armed guards. Organisers argued the measures were disproportionate and would have made a public exhibition impractical.
The group said the exhibition has previously been displayed elsewhere in Australia, including at Parliament House in Canberra, without incident, and questioned why it was considered a safety risk in Shoalhaven.
Shoalhaven Friends of Palestine said it is seeking an alternative venue and has written to Council seeking further explanation about the decision.
