		Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 30 April - 6 May, 1998 Issue No.375
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875		Current issue \| Previous issue \| Site map

Jubilee strip

PROTESTS by three ultra-religious parties from the ruling Israeli coalition threatened to derail the main gala event commemorating Israel's 50th anniversary today, AP reported.

The lawmakers representing the Shas, United Torah and Judaism parties demanded the cancellation of the "Jubilee Chimes" programme by the Batsheva Dance Troupe, because its members strip down to their underwear during the show.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's chief of staff, Moshe Leon, held talks through the night trying to convince the troupe to remain fully clothed, but the director refused saying the show carried a message of aesthetic freedom and had already been seen by thousands of Israelis in the past. Other artists participating in the jubilee event threatened to boycott the show.

The Jubilee Chimes performance, at which US Vice President Al Gore is to be guest of honour, is scheduled to take place today at a Jerusalem stadium and is considered the climax of the jubilee celebration that will continue for the rest of the year.

The US Congress, meanwhile, passed a non-binding resolution congratulating Israel on building "a democratic, pluralistic state in the Middle East."