Madrid Crowd Protests Batsheva Dance Troupe Amid Growing Global Boycotts
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Madrid against the Israeli dance troupe Batsheva, whose performance nonetheless sold out and received a standing ovation amid rising global cultural boycotts.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside the Teatros del Canal in Madrid to protest the performance of the renowned Israeli dance troupe Batsheva, chanting slogans and waving Palestinian flags. Despite the outcry, the troupe's premiere of Ohad Naharin's "Sadeh21" went ahead as planned, drawing a full house and concluding with a prolonged standing ovation.
The protest featured notable cultural figures, including Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato, who had previously called for the cancellation of the performances. Duato sparked further controversy by openly defending Hamas in a social media video, refusing to label it a terrorist organization. In response, the Israeli embassy in Madrid strongly condemned Duato's stance while celebrating the overwhelming success of Batsheva's opening night.
In a surprising twist, students and staff at Duato's own dance academy posed for a photograph with Batsheva dancers after the show, expressing gratitude for an unforgettable evening and calling for peace, mutual respect, and artistic cooperation. Theatre director Ruperto Merino firmly rejected calls to cancel the show, asserting that artistic decisions must be based on professional merit rather than politics.
Batsheva reiterated its stance as a non-political entity, noting that the troupe has long advocated for peace, the release of hostages, and an end to bloodshed in Gaza, while its creator Ohad Naharin has historically been critical of Israeli government policies. The controversy in Madrid mirrors a broader global trend documented by the ADL, highlighting rising scrutiny and exclusion of Israeli and Jewish artists across international cultural industries.
