As Gaza war rages, Palestinian cultural life silenced in Israel

A Palestinian mother and her children walk outside the al-Hakawati theatre in East Jerusalem. Amid fears of reprisals and respect for victims, many Palestinian artists in Israel and East Jerusalem have fallen into 'cultural silence' since the start of the Gaza war. Photo: AFP

Comedian Ayman Nahas said he has kept a "low profile" since Oct 7, fearing reprisals as an Arab artist in Israel while the country wages war in the Gaza Strip.

He is one of many Arab artists in Israel or annexed east Jerusalem who describe facing increasing hostility and harassment, and fearing looming funding cuts or arrests.