The Ariel Performing Arts Center (Hebrew: המשכן לאומנויות הבמה אריאל, Hebrew pronunciation: [hamiʃˈkan leʔomanuˈjot habaˈma ʔaʁiˈʔel] HaMishkan LeOmanuyot HaBama Ariel) is an Israeli performing arts complex, established in 2010 in Ariel on the West Bank. It opened on November 8, 2010, with an acclaimed performance of Piaf by the Beersheba Theater company.[1]
The opening was mired by an intended boycott by sixty actors, writers, and directors, including Joshua Sobol, who refuse to perform in settlements because it would "strengthen the settlement enterprise". Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other right-wing commentators characterized this as a "boycott... against Israel's citizens".[2][3] The boycott is being supported by other Israeli artists such as Amos Oz, David Grossman, and Dani Caravan,;[4] 150 U.S. actors have supported them in an open letter.[5] though none of them have actually been invited to perform.
References
edit- ^ Chaim Levinson, "Major theaters raise curtain across Green Line", Haaretz, 25 August 2010 full text
- ^ Dan Williams, "Israeli actors boycott theatres in settlements", Reuters AlertNet 29 August 2010 [1]
- ^ Donald Macintyre, "Israeli actors refuse to take the stage in settlement theatre", The Independent, 30 August 2010 [2]
- ^ Chaim Levinson, "U.S. actors back Israeli boycott of West Bank theater", Haaretz, 6 September 2010 full text
- ^ "Making history: support for Israeli artists who say NO to normalizing settlements", Jewish Voice for Peace full text Archived 2012-12-20 at the Wayback Machine