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Activists interrupt Sadler's Wells performance Activists interrupt Sadler's Wells performance
(about 20 hours later)
A performance by an Israeli dance group in London was disrupted on Monday by demonstrators protesting against Israeli air strikes in Gaza.A performance by an Israeli dance group in London was disrupted on Monday by demonstrators protesting against Israeli air strikes in Gaza.
Protestors stood on their seats and shouted at Sadler's Wells theatre before being ejected by security staff. Protestors stood and shouted at Sadler's Wells theatre before being swiftly ejected by security staff.
Organisers said protests would continue at the Batsheva Ensemble's performances on Tuesday and Wednesday. The audience applauded and cheered during protests in support of the performers.
The group, making their first visit to the UK, receives state funding that helps the troupe tour abroad. A Sadler's Wells spokesman said the dancers of the Batsheva Ensemble had continued with their performance.
Campaigners said they are not protesting against individual Israeli artists but against their government. A smaller protest also took place during Tuesday night's performance.
"Batsheva Ensemble are the youth company of one of the world's most accomplished and innovative dance companies," said Alistair Spalding, chief executive and artistic director of Sadler's Wells.
"Therefore it is absolutely right that they should be presented within our artistic programme.
"We believe in engagement, not disengagement or boycott," he continued. "Cultural isolation is not a policy that Sadler's Wells believes in."
Campaigners said they were not protesting against individual Israeli artists but against their government.
"Our message to Israel... is that institutions linked to the state, including cultural bodies like Batsheva, cannot expect to be welcomed as if they represented normalcy," said Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi of the Boycott Israel Network."Our message to Israel... is that institutions linked to the state, including cultural bodies like Batsheva, cannot expect to be welcomed as if they represented normalcy," said Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi of the Boycott Israel Network.
Before Monday, 11 of the the Batsheva Ensemble's UK shows have been interrupted since the company began touring in August.Before Monday, 11 of the the Batsheva Ensemble's UK shows have been interrupted since the company began touring in August.
More protests are planned when the Tel Aviv-based group reaches Plymouth on 23 and 24 November, the final dates of its UK tour.More protests are planned when the Tel Aviv-based group reaches Plymouth on 23 and 24 November, the final dates of its UK tour.