No-shows for artist

GAZA: Young Palestinian artist Malak Mattar this week said she was refused a visa to France and to the UK to attend exhibitions of her own paintings.

Malak, 18, has had exhibitions in several countries but has not been able to attend one outside Palestine.

“It seems the hatred of Palestinians, and the ambition to keep us from travelling and living normal lives, is shared by more than just Israel. However, I will never stop creating art,” she wrote in a Facebook post denouncing the denial of her applications. She said she was falsely accused of lying on her UK visa application.