New York, Apr 6 2011 11:10AM
Irina Bokova, the head of the United Nations cultural agency, today
voiced her sorrow at the recent murder of Israeli actor Juliano
Mer-Khamis, who she described as an ardent defender of peaceful
co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians.
Mr. Mer-Khamis, 52, was shot in his car on Monday by masked gunmen in
the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank.
"He was a prominent figure in the cultural world of the Middle East,"
<"http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/director_general_deplores_murder_of_israeli_actor_juliano_mer_khamis/">said
Ms. Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO). "He was also a socially committed
artist and an ardent defender of peaceful cohabitation between
Israelis and Palestinians. His death leaves an immense vacuum."
The son of an Israeli mother and a Palestinian father, Mr. Mer-Khamis
appeared in a number of films. He was also the director of The Freedom
Theatre, which was originally founded by his mother, Arna Mer, and is
supported by UNESCO.
The theatre is a "unique Palestinian cultural institution and an
exemplary model for an entire generation of artists," according to
agency.
"UNESCO, as a partner of the Freedom Theatre that he directed and
supporter of his tireless efforts to promote theatre among young
Palestinians, deplores the assassination of this man of peace," said
Ms. Bokova.
UNESCO, which supports the arts as a means to promote dialogue between
cultures, said it is determined to continue its backing for the
theatre for its creativity, openness and tolerance, and to honour the
memory of Mr. Mer-Khamis.
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