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Art Memorializes Terror in the Netherlands

November 30, 2012 1:16 pm 5 comments

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Zach Pontz

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IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz with members of the Golani Brigade. The brigade's reconnaissance was heavily involved in Operation Cast Lead. Photo: wiki commons.

Shortly after Operation Cast Lead ended in 2009 the Dutch artist Ingrid Rollema began to develop a piece of artwork entitled “The Nomadic Memorial Cast Lead.” As described by Free Gaza, it is meant as a “symbolic graveyard consisting of 1430 unique books ‘floating’ above the floor in battle-array.”

Each book is unique and bears the name of one of the dead. The Elder of Ziyon blog notes, however, that “Out of those 1430 books, roughly half are memorializing the names of terrorists. (Some are memorializing people killed by Hamas. Some are memorializing people who weren’t killed in Cast Lead at all, since the number of real victims was less than 1430.)”

But that hasn’t stopped the artist from memorializing and profiting off of terror.

Writes Free Gaza: “Would you like to purchase one of these pieces of art? For €65 ($85.00), including taxes and shipping, you will receive your unique book. The holidays are coming. This gift is perfect for people who have wondered how to memorialize the names of the dead of Operation Cast Lead.”

5 Comments

Annette Hughes

December 3, 2012
10:37 am

Ms. Rollema’s numbers came from the Israeli Human Rights group, B’tselem. http://www.btselem.org/download/20090909_cast_lead_fatalities_eng.pdf They are documented and carefully researched. It’s certainly interesting that this author never interviewed Ms. Rollema nor contacted Free Gaza nor looked up the numbers that are available.

Reply
- Zach Pontz
  
  December 3, 2012
  11:53 am
  
  Yes, Annette, though B’tselem is only one of many groups that compiled numbers–all of which were discrepant, all of which were equally legitimate. Many other groups, which compiled their numbers after careful consideration, took issue with B’tselem’s report, which was done in the immediate aftermath of the conflict. I think it irresponsible of any artist to “commemorate” any individual aligned with a group (Hamas) whose very purposes are diametrically opposed to their own–unless Ms. Rollema believes in public executions, Iranian terror, and the lack of female rights.
  
  Reply
Zach Pontz

December 3, 2012
12:55 am

Hi Chris-

Thanks for reaching out. I did not ask her for a comment– it was not necessary. I didn’t say that she did it for the money, only that she was profiting off of it. Vastly different sentiments.

Best,

Zach

Reply
Chris

December 2, 2012
3:59 pm

Hi Zach,

did you ask Ingrid Rollema for a comment, I know her personally and I can assure you that she doesn’t do this for the money.

Regards,
Chris Peters

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