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Protests at UK Tate Modern after billionaire Blavatnik 'cancelled news show for Netanyahu'

22 July 2024 13:34 BST

A group of Israelis have held a protest outside the Tate Modern art gallery in London over billionaire art patron Len Blavatnik's alleged involvement in the cancellation of an Israeli news programme critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Born in Ukraine when it was a part of the Soviet Union, Blavatnik is the UK's second-richest man, according to the Sunday Times, with a net worth close to £30bn ($38.8bn).

An ally of Netanyahu, Blavatnik became the majority shareholder in Israel's Channel 13 in 2019.

Protester anger centres around the cancellation of the programme Warzone, produced by Netanyahu critic Raviv Drucker, in a recent overhaul at the channel.

Those at the Tate Modern on Sunday accused Blavatnik of censoring Drucker and held up banners, which read: "Blavatnik, don't mess with freedom of the press!"

Read more: Protests at UK Tate Modern after billionaire Blavatnik 'cancelled news show for Netanyahu'

Tate Modern's Blavatnik Building is named after the Ukraine-born billionaire, pictured in Los Angeles in February 2019, who is a supporter of Israeli leader Netanyahu (AFP)
Tate Modern's Blavatnik Building is named after the Ukraine-born billionaire, pictured in Los Angeles in February 2019, who is a supporter of Israeli leader Netanyahu (AFP)