Pro-Palestinian Protestors Target Batsheva Dance Company in Madrid

Approximately 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested outside the Teatro de Canal in Madrid on Tuesday, objecting to a performance by the Israeli Batsheva Dance Company. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and a large banner reading "Israel dances while it kills in Gaza," calling for a boycott of the company. Some shouted "murderers" and "shame on you" at audience members. Despite the protest, the performance proceeded and, according to the Israeli Embassy in Spain, concluded with a standing ovation.

Batsheva is presenting "Yag - 21" by choreographer Ohad Naharin as part of a three-performance engagement scheduled for October 15-17. The first performance took place Tuesday, with two more scheduled for Friday and Saturday. All tickets for the shows were reportedly sold out.

Among the protesters was Spanish choreographer and dancer Nacho Duato, who had previously called on social media to cancel Batsheva's performances. Duato argued that while Russian companies were boycotted over the war in Ukraine, a publicly funded Israeli company was invited to perform in Madrid. Actress Goyisalda Nuñez also participated, and director criticized the funding for the performances. Duato further sparked controversy by stating in a video that he views Hamas as a "liberation movement" and refuses to define it as a terrorist organization.

The Israeli Embassy in Spain strongly condemned Duato's remarks, stating he was leading the boycott and supporting Hamas, the group responsible for the October 7, 2023, massacre. The embassy later congratulated the company on its successful premiere, the audience's reception, and the sold-out shows.

In a contrasting development, the Duato Dance Academy posted a photo of its students with Batsheva dancers after the performance, thanking the Israeli company for an "unforgettable evening" and calling for peace and mutual respect. This occurred despite Duato's calls for a boycott.

The protest was organized by the BDS movement and pro-Palestinian solidarity groups, who claimed state support for Batsheva served as a tool to promote Israel's image. The theater's workers' committee also opposed hosting the company. However, theater director Rupert Marino rejected the demand to cancel, stating artistic decisions are based on professional, not political, considerations, and the theater would not censor art based on its country of origin.

Batsheva, a renowned Israeli dance company, stated to the Spanish newspaper El País that it is not a political entity and its members hold diverse views. A company spokesperson mentioned that since October 7, they have publicly called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and an end to bloodshed in Gaza. The spokesperson added that Naharin has long opposed the occupation and criticized Israeli government policy. The company is accustomed to protests and knows how to handle them without confrontation. The spokesperson also noted that past Israeli governments have attempted to cut the company's funding due to its stances, asserting that public money belongs to citizens, not the government.

This event in Madrid occurs two weeks after the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released a report on October 1 detailing the systematic exclusion of Jewish, Israeli, and Zionist artists from various cultural industries in the United States. The report, "State of the Arts," documented 65 incidents in 41 US locations involving stage artists facing protests, harassment, disruptions, or cancellations. Batsheva is explicitly mentioned, alongside singer Matisyahu and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Similar harassment has targeted comedian Jerry Seinfeld, whose Chicago performance was disrupted by pro-Palestinian activists due to his support for Israel and sympathy for October 7 victims. Other incidents include students walking out of a Duke University commencement ceremony where he spoke, and campaigns to cancel his Washington performances. Singer Regina Spektor and comedian Judy Gold have also faced calls and antisemitic remarks during their performances.

According to the ADL, subtle forms of discrimination are particularly concerning. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt stated that discrimination manifests not only in public protests but also in behind-the-scenes decisions by cultural institutions, publishers, and event organizers. Jewish artists are being sidelined, blacklisted, and losing professional opportunities. The ADL points to a "quiet boycott," where invitations are withdrawn, performances are not scheduled, collaborations are canceled, and cultural institution managers fear hiring Israeli or Jewish artists associated with Israel. Israeli singer Noga Erez reported losing performance bookings abroad due to her nationality. The report also describes instances where authors were asked to remove Hebrew words, change Jewish character names, or avoid Israeli settings to increase publication chances. In visual arts, 12 out of 40 leading US museums received the lowest rating from the ADL for deficiencies in their policies and representation of Jews, with none explicitly including Jewish identity in their diversity and inclusion commitments.