Sculptor of Uganda Monument: "Protest Against the Prime Minister? Yoni Netanyahu Was an Israeli Hero"
Artist Itay Zalait, known for his protest sculptures against Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed the creation of the Yoni Netanyahu monument in Uganda. He emphasized that commemorating an Israeli hero does not conflict with his critical artistic work.
Following reports that a monument in memory of Yoni Netanyahu was inaugurated in Uganda at the old terminal in Entebbe, the site of the historic hostage rescue operation, artist Itay Zalait told "HaYom" that work on the monument began nearly a year before its installation.
"I arrived in Uganda almost a year ago to inspect the site and the structure of the control tower," he said. According to him, the visit was intended to examine the dimensions of the area and determine the appropriate size for the sculpture. "It is a highly secure VIP terminal, so numerous permits were required."
Zalait stated that, to his knowledge, the initiative to establish the monument came from the Ugandan government. "The project was executed through a company and a businessman who approached me," he explained.
Despite his identification with the protest sculptures he created against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Zalait emphasized that he sees no contradiction between his works and the commemoration of Yoni Netanyahu.
"There is no connection between Yoni Netanyahu, who is a hero of Israel, and his brother or the protest sculptures. I am a working artist, and in the last year or two, I have also had the opportunity to create monuments and memorials for soldiers."
According to him, critical works and commemorative works are two distinct parts of his artistic practice. "The role of art is to criticize and hold up a mirror," he concluded. "These are several hats under the same cover."
