Vandals target MIFF stand during Arendalsuka

A stand belonging to Med Israel for fred, an organisation supporting Israel, was vandalised overnight during Arendalsuka, Dagbladet reported on Tuesday.

Conrad Myrland, the organisation’s managing director, found the stand damaged on Tuesday morning, before the second day of the event in Arendal.

The word “genocide” had been written on the wall, while the tent had been cut with a knife. The word “peace” had also been cut away.

“It is tragic,” Myrland told Dagbladet. He said it was “symbolically significant” that the vandalism targeted both peace and the Star of David.

The stand was also vandalised during Arendalsuka last year. On that occasion, the word “genocide” was written on it. Line Khateeb, who was then leader of the Palestine Committee, later admitted responsibility and paid 6,000 kroner in compensation.

Khateeb told Dagbladet she was abroad and no longer led the Palestine Committee. “I don’t know anything about what happened,” she wrote.

The current leader of the Palestine Committee, Rami Samandar, said he had not heard about the incident before Dagbladet contacted him on Tuesday morning.

“As far as I know, we have nothing to do with this,” he said, adding that the Palestine Committee did not support vandalism.

“I understand that people are frustrated by Israel’s actions, but we do not support vandalism,” Samandar said.

Myrland said most of the reactions the organisation receives at Arendalsuka are positive, including from supporters, members and curious visitors.

He said the latest vandalism would be reported to the police.