The opening performance of an Israeli dance troupe at the Edinburgh International Festival was disrupted four times last night, as protesters in the audience shouted “free Palestine.”

The Batsheva Dance Company members stopped as the protesters were removed by security, but then continued. The disruption was not a surprise, as pro-Palestinian activists had announced it beforehand.

An Israeli Embassy spokesman said that it was clear the demonstrators were “not motivated by any desire to help the Palestinians or advance peace, but only to sow hatred.

“We are delighted the audience gave Batsheva repeated standing ovations. We call on Britain to condemn disturbances to Israeli cultural performances. We are committed to ensuring that Israeli-British cooperation will continue to flourish.”

The show, which was attended by Culture and Sports Minister Limor Livnat and Israeli ambassador to Britain Daniel Taub, has been dogged by controversy since it was announced.

For more, go to Haaretz.com

Why I became the Forward’s editor-in-chief

You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.

And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.

That’s where you come in. Gifts of any size keep the Forward free and accessible to everyone and ensure we have the resources we need to power the Forward at this critical time for American Jews.

Don't just read the Forward - invest in it. Will you support our work today?

— Alyssa Katz, editor-in-chief

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$120 $180 $360 OTHER AMOUNT