French Court Orders Gaza Photo Reinstated at Deauville Festival
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
A French court has ordered the reinstatement of a Gaza photograph removed from a festival in Deauville, ruling the removal was disproportionate and unnecessary despite claims of potential public disorder.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- French court orders Gaza photo reinstated at Deauville festival.
- Photo showed Gaza football players amid destroyed buildings.
- Officials cited social media hate for removal.
- Court found removal unnecessary and disproportionate.
- Exhibition runs until September 6.
A French court has ordered the reinstatement of a photograph depicting two football teams in Gaza, which was removed from the Deauville Sports Images festival. The image, taken by Gaza-based photographer Jehad Alshrafi for the Associated Press, shows players on a field surrounded by destroyed buildings. Organizers had discreetly removed the photo from the exhibition.
Lawyers for the Deauville town hall argued that the removal was necessary to prevent public disorder, citing a "torrent of hate" observed on social media, though specific examples were not provided. The court, however, suspended the mayor's August 20th order, deeming it neither "necessary" nor "proportionate."
The exhibition, focused on the values of sport, opened in June and is scheduled to run until September 6. City representatives stated that it would take approximately six days to reprint the photograph and put it back on display. Agnès Tricoire, representing the OLC association which initiated the legal challenge, called it "scandalous" if the original print was destroyed and indicated further action would be taken if needed.