Set designer to boycott Riverdance tour to Israel

THE set designer of Riverdance is boycotting the show during its upcoming tour of Israel in an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Irish artist Robert Ballagh said he will not be travelling to Israel with Riverdance, and plans to donate any royalties due to him for the show’s performances there to the fund for an Irish boat that is taking part in an flotilla of vessels that hopes to break the “illegal and inhuman blockade” of Gaza.

Mr Ballagh said his decision was inspired by a meeting with Nelson Mandela, who told him the sporting and cultural boycott of South Africa was “an essential weapon in the struggle against apartheid”.