Batsheva Dance Company Performs in Madrid Amid Pro-Palestinian Protests

Approximately 200 pro-Palestinian activists protested outside the Teatros del Canal theater in Madrid on Thursday evening against a performance by the Israeli Batsheva Dance Company. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and displayed a banner reading, "Israel dances while it kills in Gaza," calling for a boycott of the Israeli troupe and the cancellation of its shows. The performance, however, proceeded as scheduled and concluded to ovations, according to the Israeli Embassy in Spain, as reported by The Jerusalem Post. The Batsheva Dance Company is presenting "Sadeh21," choreographed by Ohad Naharin, with three scheduled performances on October 15, 16, and 17. Spanish media reported that all tickets for the shows were sold out. The protest was organized by the BDS movement, which advocates for boycotting Israel, and other pro-Palestinian solidarity groups. They contend that state funding for Batsheva makes the company a tool for improving Israel's international image. Nevertheless, Rupert Merino, director of Teatros del Canal, rejected calls to cancel the performances, stating that artistic programming decisions are based on professional, not political, grounds. He added that the theater does not intend to censor works of art based on the country of origin of their creators.