Full Breakdown
Church Exhibition Removed Over Inclusion of Hamas Fighters’ Names
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Removal of the Leeds Minster Exhibition
Leeds Minster cancelled the “Stitch Their Names Together” exhibition after the Leeds Jewish Representative Council presented evidence that the display listed 16,800 individuals, including several identified as Hamas fighters. The church announced the decision, acknowledging that hosting the exhibition had damaged its relationship with parts of the Jewish community and offering an apology while pledging to rebuild trust.
Background & Context: Gaza Conflict and the Stitch Their Names Project
The exhibition, created by artist Mary Evers, featured fabric panels stitched in the colours of the Palestinian flag—red for women, black for men and green for children—to honour Palestinians killed in Gaza. The project’s website describes the work as a communal space for grief and remembrance. The display was scheduled to run at the Minster until the Sunday before its removal.
Data & Statistics: Casualties Reported
- On 7 October 2023, Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israeli communities, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza.
- Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in at least 73,670 deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, a figure the United Nations regards as reliable.
Official Statements & Responses
The church said it wants to work with all faith groups in the city and recognised that the exhibition harmed its relationship with the Jewish community, for which it apologised and seeks to rebuild trust. The Leeds Jewish Representative Council supplied the name list and highlighted the inclusion of fighters linked to Hamas. Mary Evers told The Times that she was unaware of any names belonging to members of proscribed organisations until contacted by the newspaper.
Why It Matters
The incident underscores the sensitivities surrounding public commemorations of the Gaza conflict, particularly when they intersect with local inter-faith dynamics. The removal of the exhibition reflects broader concerns about how artistic projects address contested histories and the importance of maintaining dialogue between religious communities in a city as diverse as Leeds.