Editors at Dance Europe, a London-based magazine, chose to dance with the devil when they turned down journalist Stephanie Freid’s offer to write a feature about an Israeli troupe for political reasons. The London Jewish Chronicle recently wrote:
Ms Freid said she was quizzed about the dance company’s view on the Israeli occupation and asked whether it was government funded.
“The editor, Emma Manning, told me they had allowed an Israeli advertisement once, but only with a disclaimer saying it disapproved of the occupation….
Ms Manning would say only that “as an editor, I am entitled to choose what to print. It is my prerogative.” Mr Kaul was more forthcoming, telling the JC: “We are opposed to the occupation. If any company in Israel co-operates with us by adding a disclaimer saying it is opposed to the occupation, settlements and everything else, we will co-operate with them.”
Now, YNet News reports that others in Israel’s dance community have encountered problems with Dance Europe:
A year and a half ago Dan Rudolph, general manager of the Kibbutz Dance Company, was asked to publish a condemnation when he wanted to place an ad for dance auditions.
“I received a letter from the magazine that demanded a written declaration against the policy of occupation, and I got really angry.”
Send comments to [email protected]
