An Israeli dance show was repeatedly disrupted on Monday evening by activists protesting the recent killing of Palestinians by Israeli air strikes in Gaza.
Performers of the Batsheva Dance Ensemble, hosted at Sadler’s Wells theatre in Clerkenwell, were interrupted after protesters stood up and shouted anti-Israeli slogans before being quickly removed by security. The critically-acclaimed show was also met with disruptions on the following night, with six pro-Palestinian campaigners being thrown out of the theatre.
A spokesperson for Sadler’s Wells said that during the interruptions much of the crowd applauded and cheered in an attempt to silence the protests and show their support for the on-stage performers.
The world-renowned dance troupe, part-funded by the Israeli Government, played for three nights at the Islington theatre and has been touring the UK since August. Due to their ties with Israeli authorities, their tour has been consistently met with protest by pro-Palestinian campaigners encouraging a ‘South Africa-style’ boycott movement.
Their arrival at Sadler’s Wells proved no different as 170 activists demonstrated outside the building and encouraged theatre-goers queuing up for the show to return their tickets.
A group of around 40 individuals from the ‘Zionist Federation’ staged a smaller counter-protest further along the road in support of the theatre production.
The two groups were separated by police but organisers of the theatre production were forced to hire extra security personnel and implement airport-style checks for all those wishing to enter the building. Although no arrests were made, some showings were delayed by over half-an-hour as a result of the added security.
Those waiting in line for the performance endured loud chanting from protesters across the road and attempts by campaigners on both sides to spread their message.
A variety of activist groups were represented in the pro-Palestinian contingent, including the ‘Jews Boycotting Israeli Goods’, ‘The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign’ and ‘Don’t Dance with Israeli Apartheid’.
One activist said: “We are not protesting against the performers themselves but are instead highlighting the attempt by Israel to whitewash their war crimes in Palestine through the export of their ‘Brand Israel’ culture. The Batsheva Dance Ensemble is part of this.
“We’re asking theatregoers to think about all those in Gaza who are never given the opportunity to spread their own culture and who suffer oppression and warfare at the hands of the Israeli Government on a day-to-day basis.”
Further down the road, pro-Israeli campaigners from the Zionist Federation said they were expressing their solidarity with the Batsheva performers.
One member said: “We think culture, art and sport brings people together as opposed to dividing people. Boycotts divide people. Why would you boycott an artistic dance group who are here to entertain people? We believe that culture unites people, and that’s why we’re here.”
Alistair Spalding, the Artistic Director of Sadler’s Wells, also condemned the calls for a boycott of the Tel Aviv-based dance group.
“Batsheva Ensemble are the youth company of one of the world’s most accomplished and innovative dance companies and therefore it is absolutely right that they should be presented within our artistic programme.
“We support the right to peaceful protest and freedom of speech outside our premises which does not disrupt the performance [but] we believe in engagement, not disengagement or boycott.”
The Batsheva Dance Ensemble will perform in the UK for the final time this weekend in Plymouth. Further protests have already been planned.
