Performer with Palestinian Flag at London Opera

“Free Palestine!”: Performer defies British censorship with Palestinian flag at London Opera
An unexpected scene shook the elitist tranquility of the Royal Opera House last Friday when a performer in the final cast of Il Trovatore raised the Palestinian flag during the final ovation, defying the “neutrality” rules imposed by the cultural institution.

The act, which sparked applause from the audience and evident discomfort behind the scenes, has once again brought Western hypocrisy regarding freedom of expression when it comes to the suffering of the Palestinian people to the forefront of the debate.

The protagonist of the gesture was Daniel Perry, a queer dancer with a history of activism, who stood firm despite theater staff trying to snatch the flag from his hands. Perry, dressed as a horned devil in his role, waved the Palestinian flag “as the main cast members received cheers.”
The institution was quick to issue a statement. A statement disassociating itself from the gesture: “The Royal Opera House does not condone the unauthorized display of flags on stage. This gesture was inappropriate.” However, behind the scenes and on social media, the criticism was different: “Art should make those in power uncomfortable and give a voice to the silenced,” wrote one viewer on X.
Art doesn't ask permission to defend Palestine.

The protest was neither violent nor verbal, but it was treated as a threat. The Times described how a theatergoer “ran up the stage steps to try and snatch the flag,” unsuccessfully. Perry stood his ground until the curtain fell.

The act took place during the final performance of a run of eleven performances of Il Trovatore at the Royal Opera House. Upon learning that he had been identified, Perry stated in a previous post: “My existence is already a form of resistance. Being queer, an artist, and a Palestinian in solidarity is reason enough for censorship.”

While the conservative press and the opera establishment hide behind a “neutral cultural policy,” human rights organizations have pointed out the Western double standard, which allows the flying of Ukrainian or Israeli flags in theaters and concerts, but criminalizes symbols of Palestine as “inappropriate” or “divisive.”
This latest episode occurs amid a United Kingdom convulsed by increasingly repressed pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The Guardian warned in an editorial that British police “seem to be trying to criminalize all pro-Palestinian protests.” And yet the flag flew. Briefly. Steadily. In the heart of British culture.

“It was a small but brave act,” opined one theater critic. “And even if the Royal Opera wants to erase it, it’s already part of history.”
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