A cast member of the Royal Opera House in London raised a Palestinian flag on stage at the end of a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore on Saturday night.
By Rachel Avraham
A cast member of the Royal Opera House in London raised a Palestinian flag on stage at the end of a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore on Saturday night, the Jerusalem Post reported. According to the report, the stunt received loud applause. The Jerusalem Post added that videos of the incident show a local official attempting to take the flag from the protester, but not succeeding.
Arutz Sheva reported that social media posts from audience members described the incident as “extraordinary.” One user tweeted: “During the curtain call for Il Trovatore, one of the background artists came on waving a Palestine flag. Just stood there, no bowing or shouting. Someone off stage kept trying to take it off him. Incredible.”
Another spectator, Stephen Ratcliffe, tweeted: “Controversy at the end of Trovatore tonight when an extra or chorus member unfurled a Palestinian flag. Off-stage manager tried to grapple with him but he held his ground. Bet he won’t be working there again.”
A spokesperson for the Royal Ballet and Opera told the BBC that the protest was “completely inappropriate for a curtain call” and that “the display of the flag was spontaneous and unauthorized action by the artist. It was not approved by the Royal Ballet and Opera and is not in line with our commitment to political impartiality.”
The Royal ballet and opera commitments stated, “Opera and ballet should belong to everyone. We acknowledge that people have experienced long-standing underrepresentation, inequality, and microaggressions as a result of their skin color, ethnicity, and/or faith. We commit to confronting racism and discrimination, to employing and celebrating work by people of color, and to creating a more inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive.”
It claims to have a “zero tolerance” policy to “racism and discrimination” and says it will “challenge, report and take immediate action in response to racist language or behavior at any level in the organization.”
Following that incident on stage, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the iconic Royal Opera House in Covent Garden to protest against Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. The demonstration was organized by a coalition of anti-Israel groups. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and carried placards with slogans such as “End the Occupation,” “Stop the Bombing of Gaza,” and “Justice for Palestine.” Chants like “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free” echoed across the square, drawing the attention of both the public and media outlets.
The Metropolitan Police deployed additional officers to maintain order during the protest. Temporary barricades were placed around the Opera House, and parts of Covent Garden were cordoned off to manage the crowd. While the demonstration remained largely peaceful, minor altercations were reported between protesters and a small group of counter-demonstrators expressing support for Israel. Police intervened quickly to defuse tensions, resulting in a few detentions but no serious incidents.
Eyewitnesses noted that the choice of the Royal Opera House as a protest site was symbolic. The venue, known for its cultural significance and international visibility, provided a prominent stage for anti-Israel activists to amplify their message.
In response to the protest, the Israeli Embassy in London issued a statement defending Israel’s actions as part of its legitimate right to self-defense. The embassy emphasized that Hamas continues to fire rockets at Israeli civilian areas, and Israel’s operations aim to dismantle terrorist infrastructure.
“Israel regrets any harm to civilians, but Hamas deliberately uses civilian populations as shields,” the statement read. “We call on the UK public to understand the complexity of the situation and the existential threat Israel faces.”
The protest sparked a wave of reactions from British politicians, activists, and the public. While some British leaders expressed support for Israel’s security concerns, others, particularly within the Labor Party, called for a reassessment of UK-Israel relations. Social media platforms saw trending hashtags such as #FreePalestine, #StandWithGaza, and #LondonProtest, with thousands of photos and videos shared from the scene.
The protest was extensively covered by British and global media outlets. BBC, Sky News, The Guardian, The Telegraph, and Al Jazeera all reported on the demonstration, analyzing its significance as part of a broader shift in public opinion away from Israel across Europe. Similar protests have recently taken place in Paris, Berlin, New York, and Toronto.
London has long been a focal point for demonstrations related to Middle East conflicts. Protests outside cultural landmarks like the Royal Opera House or Trafalgar Square are often intended to draw international attention and mobilize public opinion. Historically, such demonstrations have played a role in shaping media narratives and putting pressure on policymakers to address global crises.
The protest outside London’s Royal Opera House underscores the deepening divide in global public opinion over the Israel-Palestine conflict. As casualties continue to rise, the UK government faces growing domestic and international pressure to push for a ceasefire and take a more proactive stance, which places additional pressure upon Israel.
Photo from Times Of India: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5P97EP_vgA
