Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar approached Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich this morning (Wednesday).
According to Zohar's staff, the minister received several complaints about Palestinian flags being raised as a protest act during the finale of Batsheva Dance Company's new dance performance, prompting him to address the matter with the Finance Minister.
In the letter Zohar sent to Smotrich, he wrote: "I request that you thoroughly examine this case and determine whether Batsheva Dance Company, which receives support from the Ministry of Culture and Sports, violated Budget Foundations Law 3A with this protest act. It pains me to see that one year after the worst massacre in our state's history, there are already those who forget our hostages being held in Hamas tunnels, forget our soldiers fighting on all fronts, and brazenly raise a flag that opposes the State of Israel."
The Bat Sheva dance company is not just any old group of dancers. Here is why it is so influential:
The Batsheva Dance Company (בת שבע in Hebrew) is one of Israel's most prestigious and internationally acclaimed cultural institutions. Founded in 1964 with support from Martha Graham and Baroness Batsheva de Rothschild (for whom it is named), the company has become a powerhouse in contemporary dance.
Based in Tel Aviv, it consists of the main company and a junior company (Batsheva Ensemble). It is also well-known for running an influential dance training program
It is most notably shaped by Ohad Naharin, who served as artistic director from 1990-2018. Naharin developed "Gaga," an innovative movement language that has influenced contemporary dance worldwide. Its current artistic director is Gili Navot (since 2018)
International Impact:
- Regularly tours major venues and festivals globally
- Has won numerous prestigious awards
- Known for pushing boundaries in contemporary dance
- Considered one of the world's leading contemporary dance companies
Cultural Significance:
- Represents a significant piece of Israel's cultural diplomacy
- Receives government funding as a major cultural institution
- Has often been at the intersection of art and politics in Israel
- Known for both preserving Israeli dance heritage and pushing artistic boundaries
The company has occasionally been involved in controversies due to its artistic choices and political stances, as contemporary art often intersects with social and political issues.
