Cultural events with Israeli connections in the West are increasingly facing disruptions or cancellations. Singer Eden Golan encountered this firsthand on Monday in Zurich, Switzerland, during a benefit event hosted by the Swiss Friends of the Israel Museum. The gala, held at the renowned Kunsthaus Zurich, featured art, music, food and drinks, with Golan as the evening’s star performer.
While the event unfolded smoothly inside, pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the scene outside. According to Swiss media outlets Blick and Tages-Anzeiger, masked demonstrators dressed in black hurled large quantities of red paint meant to resemble blood at the venue's entrance and scattered flyers with anti-Israeli and antisemitic messages, including criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One protester staged a dramatic act, sitting at the entrance and pouring red paint over herself.
Protesters carried signs condemning the event, with slogans such as: “Art and culture symbolize freedom and peace, not theft, murder and the destruction of innocent lives,” referring to the war in Gaza. Calls were also made to boycott the city’s prominent cultural center hosting the event.
Zurich police intervened to prevent the protest from escalating but reportedly made no arrests. In a statement, the police confirmed an investigation into the incident. The Swiss newspaper Blick described the demonstration as an "antisemitic paint attack on the Kunsthaus."
Despite the disruption, Golan remained unfazed, largely shielded by heightened security. Inside, she captivated the audience with her Eurovision hit "Hurricane" and other songs, earning rapturous applause. "I work every day to bring love into my music and share it with people," Golan told the crowd. "I try to make the world a better place – because it can undoubtedly be better."
Event organizer Dirk Buhl, 54, told Blick he refused to let the protest overshadow the evening. "This event was about connection. The Israel Museum in Jerusalem unites everyone, regardless of background or religion," he said.
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In recent days, pro-Palestinian activists also targeted the offices of Zurich's prominent NZZ newspaper, known for its balanced reporting on Israel, in a similar paint attack.