Prosecutors close file on Bibi noose poster

Jerusalem district prosecutors on Tuesday closed a case against a student of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, whose poster featuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s face behind a hangman’s noose stirred political condemnation two months ago.

The work by a first-year art student, posted on a stairwell wall, showed multiple images of Netanyahu with the noose surrounding a single image of assassinated prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, which carried the slogan “Traitor.”

The caption on the poster reads “Rope,” and echoes a 2008 presidential campaign poster of Barack Obama — except that the Obama poster was emblazoned with the word “Hope.”

Some reports said the Rabin poster, in addition to a piece of paper at the side bearing the text “This is called incitement,” were not in the original display, and were added later by other students.

The academy ordered the poster to be taken down, and, the following day, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit ordered an investigation into alleged incitement. Police questioned the student soon afterwards.

Two days after the noose image was publicized, a new poster appeared in the halls of the venerated art school, depicting Netanyahu with a rope around his genitals.

Students also held a sit-in with their mouths taped shut in protest at what they saw as attempts to limit artistic freedom.

On Tuesday, prosecutors ruled that there was no case against the creator of the noose work. The lawmakers closed the file, saying the decision had been taken with the knowledge of State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan.

Rami Othman, the attorney who represented the student, said, “It was a political investigation. From the first inquiry, it was clear that this case would be closed and that’s what happened. The student feels great. She’s happy the investigation has been closed.”