An art exhibition hosted by the State of Palestine and Palestinian Human Rights Organization Al-Haq has been removed from the hallways of the World Forum, sparking widespread condemnation.

Palestinian news site Wafa said that late on the evening of Wednesday December 04, 2019, the art exhibition staged by the State of Palestine and Palestinian Human Rights Organization Al-Haq was maliciously removed and hidden without authorization from the hallways of the World Forum.

The exhibit was held on the occasion of the 18th session of the Assembly of the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned, in the strongest terms, what it dubbed a “hateful act”.

“We view it as a desperate attempt to silence the voices of Palestinian victims, which were so powerfully reflected in the exhibition,” the Ministry’s statement read.

“We have been formally informed that the Court is currently conducting an investigation into this grave incident”, added the ministry. “We expect this investigation to be thorough and transparent and that strong measures will be taken following its conclusion.”

The exhibition was reportedly slated to showcase artwork by internationally-renowned Palestinian cartoonist Mohammad Sabaaneh on the impact of the criminal policies and violations committed by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people.