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Pro- activists protested against theÌý Queer Film Festival's (MQFF) decision on Friday to go ahead with the screening of the film 'The Swimmer', despite calls for its removal from the festival's programme.

the film of "pinkwashing" Israel's image - in this context being whenÌýthe Jewish state is promoted as as queer-friendly andÌýPalestinians asÌý"intolerant"Ìýto distract attention from Israel's human rights record and itsÌýoccupation of Palestinian land.

MQFF, who BDS activists have notÌýpromotedÌý"one film from the Arabic-speaking world",Ìýsaid The SwimmerÌýwould not be removed in an attempt to "remain apolitical",Ìýreleased on Tuesday.

"To be queer is a politicised identity and so for a queer film festival to come forward and say they strive to be apolitical really offended a lot of people,"ÌýFriday's protest organiserÌýJeanine Hourani told °®Âþµº.

"Queer Palestinians are politicised every single day... the Israeli occupation threaten to out them if they do notÌýcomply with [them]... the key message from the [queer] community here is that we want a festival that better represents [our] needs, demands and values," Hourani continued.

Following calls for The Swimmer to be removed, two MQFF board members - including ex-Co-PresidentÌýMolly Whelan - resigned.ÌýÌýTheir resignation letterÌýstated that their values and vision were no longer in line with the board, VICE reported.

“I don’t see a willingness to make the changes that are necessary for MQFF to stay relevant and respected in LGBTIQA+ communities,"Ìýthe letterÌýread.

Contrary to the activists' claims, MQFF state their festival willÌýinclude the short film 'Borekas' fromÌýPalestine. However, the film is not listed in their and does appear on their when searching for tickets.

The festival also saidÌýtheyÌýcould "do better in making sure that the diversity of these stories [in our program] is being seen by our communities", last week.