THE Royal Opera House is facing criticism after a staff member removed a Palestinian flag from a cast member during a curtain call, prompting activists to question the organisation’s previous public support for Ukraine.
A cast member unfurled a Palestine flag during an encore for Il Trovatore at the Royal Opera House (ROH) on Saturday, July 19, and a member of theatre staff immediately stepped on stage to take the flag away.
Described by one audience member online as “extraordinary scenes”, a video was published online showing the performer resisted attempts to have the flag removed.
Now, Scottish activists have written to the board and said the Opera House doubling-down on their stance is "like rubbing salt into the wound".
Soon after the incident, the ROH issued a statement, writing: “The display was a spontaneous act by the artist which was not approved by the theatre and was completely inappropriate for a curtain call”.
They added that the flag "is not in line with our commitment to political impartiality.”
Activists from the Scottish Palestinian Society wrote to the theatre's chief executive, Alex Beard, and said in 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Opera house issued a statement in solidarity with Ukraine.
In 2022, the ROH stated: “All of us here at the Royal Opera House are shocked and appalled by the ongoing humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine."
They added: “As an expression of respect for all those affected by this terrible conflict, we will be lighting our building in the colours of the Ukrainian flag every night from 28 February, and in a moment of reflection playing the national anthem of Ukraine before each performance.”
"We would like to ask why, despite the horrors of what we have witnessed being done to occupied Palestinians including, the widely documented mass starvation, the targeted killing, torture and imprisonment of Palestinians including doctors, academics, artists and journalists, the ROH has not once dedicated the effort and consideration to Palestinians that it has repeatedly and rightfully afforded to Ukrainians?" they said.
"This includes what appears to be not a single statement of solidarity with Palestinians, a people living under the world’s longest illegal occupation and subjected to some of the worst crimes against humanity, including man-made mass starvation of an entire civilian population.
"Something the world has not witnessed since World War Two."
The campaigners also claimed the artist who displayed the Palestinian flag during the performance has been barred from working for the ROH.
In response, Beard said the flag displayed at the curtain call was "not authorised and occurred outside the framework of the performance".
"Our commitment to neutrality is not a dismissal of suffering or injustice, but a reflection of our responsibility to maintain a space where audiences and artists feel welcome, regardless of background or belief," Beard replied.
He added: "I am appalled by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I understand the strong feelings on this issue. The wider geopolitical context is tense, layered, and complex. It is at the heart of who we are that we recognise and respect the diversity of opinions among our colleagues and audiences across the globe.
"Our goal is to act with integrity and compassion. We must ensure that our stage remains a space for shared cultural appreciation, free from divisive political statements. Our support for Ukraine was aligned with the global consensus of the time. As the world has become more complex, our stance has evolved to ensure that our actions reflect this goal."
Beard further stated the ROH was "reviewing the events surrounding the performance and the response that followed", and doubled-down on the actions of staff, stating: "While we strongly support the right of every individual to their own views, curtain calls are moments for audiences to celebrate performers and the Company, not for individuals to make political demonstrations."
Wael Shawish, the head of the Scottish Palestinian Society, said: "I am not surprised by this response. 'Neutrality', 'the wider geopolitical context is tense, layered, and complex.', 'diversity of opinion' are hollow statements that are put as if they are meaningful by stating that there was global consensus on the Ukrainian issue.
"This implies there is no global consensus on the suffering of Palestinians so Mr Beard is appeasing those who believe it is ok for Palestinians to suffer by not allowing any signs of support.
"It's like rubbing salt into the wound."
