The Instagram video was accompanied by a caption that read: “Palestine Action spray and slash a historic painting of ‘Lord’ Balfour in Trinity College, University of Cambridge.
“Written in 1917, Balfour’s declaration began the ethnic cleansing of Palestine by promising the land away – which the British never had the right to do.
“After the Declaration, until 1948, the British burnt down indigenous villages to prepare the way; with this came arbitrary killings, arrests, torture and sexual violence including rape.
“The British paved the way for the Nakba and trained the Zionist militia to ethnically cleansed over 750,000 Palestinians, destroy over 500 villages and massacre many families. The Nakba never stopped, and the genocide today is rooted and supported by British complicity.
“Now Elbit Systems, Israel’s biggest weapons manufacturer, uses Britain as a manufacturing outpost to build arms which are ‘battle-tested’ on Palestinians.”
A Trinity College spokesman said: “Trinity College regrets the damage caused to a portrait of Arthur James Balfour during public opening hours. The police have been informed. Support is available for any member of the College community affected.”
A spokesman for Cambridge Police said: “This afternoon we received an online report of criminal damage today to a painting at Trinity College, Cambridge.
“Officers are attending the scene to secure evidence and progress the investigation. No arrests have been made at this stage.”
Palestine Action were contacted for comment.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
