'Dance,' he told him, 'dance'

“Dance!”

This, according to the American media, was the order given by security personnel at Ben Gurion International Airport to an African American dancer with an Arabic name. This talented performer is a member of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, one of the world’s most famous dance companies that came to Israel two weeks ago for a round of performances.

For the American public, Alvin Ailey is far more than just a dance company. It is an institution that reflects the recent history of American society, and the integration and acceptance of the African-American community by the American establishment. Alvin Ailey is one of the most successful and prestigious cultural fixtures of New York City and was recently recognized as a “Cultural Ambassador to the World” by the United States Congress. This title attests to the company’s esteem in the eyes of the American political establishment, which may itself soon be led by an African-American.

Fifty cities around the world, representing the 50 years of the company’s existence, will have the privilege of hosting Alvin Ailey performances during the current tour. From these cities, the directors chose Tel Aviv, Israel as the first stop on the worldwide jubilee tour, because they felt Israel was worthy of the distinction.

We have worked for weeks to promote the story of the Company’s tour of Israel in the American media to draw a connection between Israel and this leading institution. We were convinced that that Israel’s cultural creativity was best positioned to enhance the country’s image in the eyes of many audiences, especially the American elite.

Indeed, Israel is quite worthy of a connection to Alvin Ailey. The relationship between the African-American and Jewish communities in the United States dates back to the 1960s, when the two groups fought side by side for freedom and equality. Furthermore, Israel’s own dance troupes have gained worldwide acclaim. Lastly, the coinciding celebrations of Israel at 60 and Alvin Ailey’s jubilee provide an additional connection.

Efforts went down the drain

For those of us involved in promoting Israel’s image, the actions on the part of the security department at Ben Gurion Airport caused a painful blow to our image. Our efforts went down the drain because of behavior that was arrogant and callous towards the feelings of others. Actions such as these strengthen the already pervasive stereotypes of a reclusive Israeli public unwilling to accept the different or foreign.

We often proclaim the virtues of Israel’s multicultural society: citizens hailing from more than 90 countries, with immigrants from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union living side by side with native Israelis – many of whom are themselves the descendents of immigrants. These claims have now come to naught in the face of headlines describing the company’s arrival in Israel.

In the past year, we have witnessed a growing trend of stories in the American media portraying Israel as the “next hot destination” for lifestyle, tourism, and culture. American newspapers and magazines with a worldwide audience have realized the importance of Israel beyond the narrative of conflict. We have sensed a growing desire to cover fashion, architecture, the culinary arts, and tourism. Last week’s headlines set us back immeasurably.

I was amazed to read the denial of the episode by the Israel Airports Authority. Even assuming that the matter was investigated and the results were indeed those described in the media report, it was necessary to speak with the company’s directors to ascertain the details and to give them the impression that we care - because we really do.

We should apologize? Why? The dancer should apologize! After all, he should have known that in Israel, everyone is equal in the eyes of airport security. It’s just that the others we screen are not asked to dance.

The writer serves as Consul for Media and Public Affairs at Israel’s consulate in New York