And as I said - a symbol is never "simple as a still life painting". If it were still life painting only, why is this news? Why didn't she change the background to a different one that didn't have the watermelon? Why is there so much emotion surrounding it?

The truth is - a watermelon is a symbol for Palestine now. We organize watermelon parties in public parks and everyone knows what it is. Sure, it's a celebration of culture, not political, generally just a party. But at the end of the day, it is a symbol too. Playing dumb doesn't suddenly make people go "oh okay I guess this is just a watermelon". People see a duck, hear a duck, think a duck.