Protest Batsheva at Dance Fest Israel 70

Press Coverage

The Jerusalem Post

Abstract: 

Fifty activists held a musical protest against the Batsheva Dance Company's opening night performance at the Joyce Theater in New York. Protesters decried the internationally recognized dance company's role "whitewashing" the Israeli government 's human rights violations.

Press Coverage

The New York Times

Abstract: 

Human rights protesters were demonstrating outside the Joyce Theater on Tuesday night. The company appearing was from Israel — Batsheva’s junior troupe, the Young Ensemble. The topics of protest were Israel’s repression of the Palestinian people and Batsheva’s role, as an Israeli cultural ambassador, as a front for that repression.

Press Coverage

Jewish Currents

Abstract: 

Naharin, subject of the 2015 documentary film Mr. Gaga, is undoubtedly a compelling figure: at once a demanding, maybe even sociopathic, taskmaster to his dancers; a beloved creative genius; and an outspoken critic of the Israeli government and the occupation.

Press Coverage

The Village Voice

Abstract: 

Outside the Joyce on the Eighth Avenue sidewalk earlier this week, two different protesting groups, contained behind police barriers, vied for public attention as the opening-night audience arrived; security guards carefully searched and grilled us. Batsheva, whose summer tour to the States is supported in part by the Israeli government, drew the ire of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, and supporters of Bibi Netanyahu’s policies hollered back.

As Palestinians mark 70 years of dispossession, Batsheva–The Young Ensemble and the Joyce Theater will be celebrating Israel’s 70th anniversary with “Israel Dance Fest 70,” sponsored by the Office of Cultural Affairs, Consulate General of Israel in New York. 

Join us on opening night – Tuesday, July 10 – at 6:30 p.m. as we call on Batsheva and the Joyce to sever their ties with the Israeli government and refuse to participate in its Brand Israel initiative, which cynically uses the arts to distract from Israel’s violations of Palestinian rights. Dani Dayan, Israel’s current consul general in NYC and also a leader of Israel’s right-wing settlers, recently affirmed the central role of the arts to the government’s public relations strategy: “There are diplomats who see culture as miscellaneous...I see it as an integral part of our effort here.” 

With music from the Rude Mechanical Orchestra, we’ll let Batsheva and the Joyce know that the arts should be for liberation, not whitewashing colonization!

***Adalah-NY will provide all signs – just bring yourself and some friends!*** 

Event Location: 

The Joyce Theater
175 8th Ave
New York , NY

Event Date: 

Tuesday, July 10, 2018 - 6:30pm to 8:00pm

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