Batsheva, your position as an Israeli cultural icon gives you a platform to speak up for what’s right. We ask that that Batsheva disavow your role as Ambassador of the State. It is time to take a principled position by no longer allowing your government to use your name to whitewash occupation.

Recently a professional poll [1] has indicated that the Canadian government policy on Israel is out of touch with the public’s opinion. Most Canadians say sanctions and boycott are reasonable measures to defend Palestinian rights.

Thus, Batsheva Dance Company, as you return from your 2017 tour of the United States and Canada we call on you:

to end your complicity with the crimes being carried out by the Israeli government; to disavow your role as Ambassador of the State of Israel; and to join the growing international BDS movement to increase the pressure on the Israeli government to end its violations of international law and to support freedom, justice and equality for Palestinians.

We ask you to take these steps before you arrange any further tours to Canada.  As Canadians we do not welcome ambassadors for apartheid.  

[1] See results at: http://www.cjpme.org/survey and http://ijvcanada.org/2017/2017-israel-palestine-bds-survey/