The boycott campaign against Batsheva Dance began in London in 2012 and has since spread worldwide, including to California. On Thursday, October 15, more than 100 people gathered outside Madrid’s Teatros del Canal to oppose the Israeli company’s performances of Sadeh21, scheduled for October 15 to 17. The protest was organised by the BDS movement and Red Solidaria contra la Ocupación Palestina. Other pro-Palestinian groups took part, Europa Press reported.
Nacho Duato was among the demonstrators. Earlier that week, the choreographer and dancer had urged audiences to boycott the performances in an interview with Marc Giró on Cara al Show. For days, he promoted the gathering on social media. Actress Goizalde Núñez also joined the protest. Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and placards with slogans including “Israel dances while it kills in Gaza” and “Boycott Israeli apartheid.”
Duato tied the company’s Madrid performances to the killing of children and the conquest of Palestinian territory. He called the Israeli state genocidal and urged the Community of Madrid to cancel the performances.
Public funding is basic to the dispute. Hania Faydi, a representative of BDS Madrid, said Israel covers around 30% of Batsheva’s production budgets and pays international travel costs for tours. The Community of Madrid manages Teatros del Canal. The region’s cultural agenda listed Sadeh21 in the Sala Roja Concha Velasco through Saturday. The three-day run went ahead with tickets sold out, EFE reported.
A separate demonstration at the Complutense University also drew attention after a police charge and five detentions, as reported in coverage of the UCM protest.
Batsheva Dance was founded in Israel in 1966 with Martha Graham’s involvement. The company built an international profile in the 1980s, performing at major theatres worldwide. Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin helped shape the company in the 1990s through his “gaga” movement language. He also worked as a dancer and teacher.
Naharin choreographed Sadeh21, one of the company’s best-known works since its 2011 premiere. The Madrid performances ran from Thursday, October 15, through Saturday, October 17. Tickets were sold out.
