Desmond Tutu Urges South African Opera Company Not to Perform in Israel
Desmond Tutu, the former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, has urged an opera company there not to perform in Israel, invoking South Africas long struggle against apartheid in criticizing Israels policy toward Palestinians. The Cape Town Opera is scheduled to perform Porgy and Bess at the Tel Aviv Opera House beginning on Nov. 12. But Archbishop Tutu said in a statement that the tour should be postponed until both Israeli and Palestinian opera lovers of the region have equal opportunity and unfettered access to attend performances.