The London Evening Standard has described an Israeli dance company as ‘crap’.
In a damning review, Tel Aviv based Dance Expressions were described as ‘confusing the contextual movement patterns and the choreographic structure in an atonal blur of awkward metaphor and semiotic’. The review continued ‘the dancers were not in possession of the advanced technique required of a truly international dance company. The review finished with an unambiguous ‘after two and a half hours, mine and the audiences’ patience was severely tested’.
A spokesman for Dance Expressions, Major General Moshe Dansky issued the following statement. ‘We expect the do – gooders and terrorist lovers to protest and wave their placards but not for a previously reputable media outlet to join the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement’.
Following the review, audience numbers at Dance Expression’s London shows have dropped dramatically.
A spokesperson from the Israeli embassy opined ‘This report is totally one sided and biased and does not take into account the integrity and higher moral standards of all Israeli dancers and choreographers. They are the most moral artistes in the world. We believe that the author of this slanderous review is following an anti Israel agenda that is designed to placate the Arab dominated UK press’.
The review’s author Daniel Goldstein has stood by his review.
In a further development, The Jewish Chronicle’s editor, Stephen Pollard published an on-line opinion that stated ‘We at the JC are, as ever, committed to impartial and non-hysterical reporting yet the subsidy that is offered to jugglers, buskers and clowns and so called ‘performers’ is an outrage and a waste of my taxes. They should get ‘proper jobs’’.
When it was pointed out that the company in question were based in Tel Aviv, Mr Pollard continued ‘You would expect to find this type of review in the Guardian or on the BBC but not on the pages of a reputable paper. Dance, as all art forms, is an important part of any democratic country and the heart beat of a country’s sensibilities. Israel has the right to defend its choreographic structures and this includes the option of attacking Iran’.