Performer raises Palestinian flag onstage at London opera, prompting brief scuffle
Someone backstage tries to snatch flag, but choir member puts it back in place; opera company says act was ‘wholly inappropriate,’ but declines to say if singer to face punishment
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A performer holding a Palestinian flag touched off a brief scuffle on stage at the Royal Opera House in London as cast members were taking their bows following the season’s final performance of “Il Trovatore.”
Images posted on social media show what appears to be a member of the chorus holding the unfurled flag in front of his chest, while the lead singers bask in the UK audience’s applause on Saturday night.
After a few moments, someone backstage tries to grab the flag, but the chorus member holds onto it and snaps back into place.
“Extraordinary scenes at the Royal Opera House tonight,” a person who claimed to have been in the audience posted on X.
“During the curtain call for Il Trovatore one of the background artists came on stage waving a Palestine flag. Just stood there, no bowing or shouting. Someone off stage kept trying to take it off him. Incredible.”
“The display of the flag was an unauthorized action by the artist,” the opera company said in a statement on Sunday. “It was not approved by the Royal Ballet and Opera and is a wholly inappropriate act.”
Fancy a night at the prestigious Royal Opera House? Culture, art and enjoyment, away from the tedium of relentless Palestinianism, forced down your throats outside on the streets of London? No chance.
That flag is everywhere, and YOU WILL COMPLY!
A ridiculous cult of vanity. pic.twitter.com/qRfwEzIvki
— Joo????️ (@JoosyJew) July 20, 2025
The opera company declined to comment when asked whether the performer would face any disciplinary action.
The incident comes after numerous artists, including Kneecap, Bob Vylan, Wolf Alice, and Amyl and The Sniffers offered anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian messages at this year’s Glastonbury festival.
Police are still investigating duo Bob Vylan, whose frontman led a chant of “Death to the IDF” at the festival.
Kneecap’s Liam O’Hanna, known by his stage name Mo Chara, has also been charged with a terror-related offense over alleged support for terror organizations Hamas and Hezbollah in connection with an earlier performance.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.