An Irish dance academy was forced to cancel the first ever Irish dance competition to be held in Israel after receiving threatening messages from an anti-Israel group.

The Carey Academy Israel was set to hold the “1st Israeli Feis” in Tel Aviv on August 15 but called it off after a protest outside its UK dance studio in Birmingham.

The organisers said that students, parents and teachers had received threats from boycotters.

In a statement on the event’s Facebook page, the organisers said: “Unfortunately we have to announce the cancellation of what would have been the 1st Israeli Feis. Age, nationality, or religious beliefs do not matter to us. Unfortunately, there was a protest outside our dance studio. We do not want to risk safety of anyone connected to the Carey Academy. The feis was not meant to be anything more than what it really is - a celebration of dancing, friendship and joy. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused to people who may have already booked tickets but I am sure you understand the safety of our dancers is our number one priority.”

When news of the dance competition, open to Irish dancers from around the world, emerged the hashtags #Don’t Dance for Israel and #Don’t Shame Our Name appeared on Twitter.

The Carey Academy is registered with the Irish Dancing Commission (An Coimisiun) in Dublin. A statement on the Commission’s website said: “An Coimisiún does not and will not make any comment on national or international political matters.

“An Coimisiún will not be making any further comment on the matter.”