Masked Activist Destroys Netanyahu’s Wax Statue in Protest Against Genocide in Gaza

In a bold act of protest, a masked activist destroyed a wax statue of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mexico City's Wax Museum on Tuesday evening. 

The video, widely shared on social media, captures the moment when the protester doused the statue in red paint, symbolically evoking blood, before smashing it with a hammer. A Palestinian flag prominently lay at the base of the statue, underscoring the protest's alignment with Palestinian solidarity. 

The activist declared to the camera, "Long live Palestine, Long live Sudan, Long live Yemen, Long live Puerto Rico," before continuing his act of defiance. 

The protester further explained his actions in a statement shared by BDS Mexico: “I have the responsibility to take down this war criminal because the Wax Museum in Mexico City forgot to cover it with the blood of 40,000 Palestinians. I do this by embracing the Jewish people, whom I love dearly, and whose identity has been hijacked by these genocidal [people]. These war criminals are not welcome in our city.” 

This act of destruction occurs amidst Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza, now over 14 months long. The operation has decimated Gaza’s infrastructure and claimed the lives of over 45,885 Palestinians. 

Netanyahu, who is currently the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, has faced mounting international criticism. Rights groups accuse his administration of genocide and the deliberate targeting of civilians, healthcare workers, and infrastructure in the besieged enclave. 

The attack on the wax statue has drawn mixed reactions. Online, many lauded the protester’s actions, with one commenter saying, “Salute for this man,” and another questioning the museum's decision to display the statue at all: “Why does he even have a statue there?” Others criticized the museum, asserting that showcasing a figure accused of imposing collective punishment on Palestinians was inappropriate.

As news of the vandalism spread, Gaza’s ministry issued an urgent plea for international aid, warning that fuel shortages in hospitals were putting patients’ lives at immediate risk. Recent reports revealed that 28 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday morning, while at least six babies had succumbed to hypothermia amid Gaza's harsh winter conditions. 

Netanyahu’s leadership continues to face backlash, not just internationally but within Israel as well. Even the families of Israeli hostages have accused him of prioritizing his political career over efforts to bring their loved ones home. 

Domestically, Netanyahu is embroiled in legal troubles, facing charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes. His wife, Sara Netanyahu, is also under scrutiny, with allegations of harassment against political opponents and witnesses in her husband’s corruption trials. 

The masked activist concluded his statement with a resounding call: “Our liberation must come as a collective, or not at all. Death to imperialism.” 

The protester's actions align with a broader trend of cultural and artistic defiance against Israeli policies. In February 2024, numerous art galleries in New York were vandalized with slogans like "Zionism is Terrorism" and "Blood on Your Hands," condemning Israel's military actions in Gaza. 

Similarly, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco witnessed disruptive protests in the same month. These protests, driven by artists demanding solidarity with Gaza, led to altered exhibitions, calls for boycotts of Israeli institutions, and the resignation of the center’s leader, forcing a month-long closure of its galleries. 

Accusations of censorship have also plagued cultural institutions regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. For instance, Lisson Gallery canceled an exhibition by Ai Wei Wei after his statements were deemed controversial about Jewish influence. Critics argue this reflects a larger trend of silencing pro-Palestinian voices within the art world.