Posters of Hamas Hostages Ignite Tensions in US, Seen as Antisemitic Propaganda and Spark Arrests

Artists' initiative to create and distribute posters of Hamas hostages sparks global controversy, with critics accusing it of being pro-Israeli propaganda, while creators plead for empathy for the victims.

Posters showing pictures of people held hostage by Hamas in the Middle East are being torn down in the U.S., causing confrontations and worsening tensions. Family members of hostages and anti-Semitism organizations argue the removal of posters is an act of anti-Semitism.
Two Israeli artists, Dede Bandaid and Nitzan Mintz, created the posters hoping to apply global pressure for the release of the hostages. But the posters have since become a flashpoint, eliciting criticism for promoting pro-Israeli propaganda and causing some to remove them.
A number of incidents involving the posters have resulted in arrests across the U.S., generally around allegations of criminal mischief for destroying the posters, which have been hung up on both public and private property.
While some view the posters as street art and a plea for empathy, others view them as evidence of Israeli propaganda. This divisive perception has sparked debates and confrontational behavior in multiple states across the U.S.
Amid these controversies, the artists of the posters state that their campaign is not against Palestinians, but to 'take care of one aspect out of this entire mess.' They maintain their main intent is to keep hope alive for the families of the hostages.