CAMPAIGNERS praised a decision today by the Royal Opera House to cancel its planned 2026 production run of Tosca at the Israeli National Opera (INO) in Tel Aviv.

The INO has now dropped references to the Royal Opera House on its website.

Artists for Palestine UK said it had seen an email from Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) CEO Alex Beard, sent to staff, saying: “We have made the decision that our new production of Tosca will not be going to Israel.”

The move follows an open letter signed by 182 RBO workers, criticising management’s silence over Israel’s genocide in Gaza, where more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed.

The signatories, including dancers, singers, musicians and staff across all departments, said they “reject any current or future performances in Israel” and called on the organisation to “withhold our productions from institutions that legitimise and economically support a state engaged in the mass killing of civilians.”

“As an organisation of global standing, with the power to shape discourse and influence cultural values, we have a responsibility to act ethically,” they said.

Campaigners said that it was unprecedented for staff at such an elite institution to demand an end to complicity in war crimes and equally unprecedented for management to respond with immediate action.

An Artists for Palestine UK spokesperson said: “This is a welcome breakthrough for institutional accountability – and a victory for grassroots organising.

“Across the cultural sector, too many institutions, faced with genocide, have opted for silence or worse.

“The RBO staff’s open letter is an essential ethical uprising against this refusal to speak out.”

Since the beginning of Israel’s assault on Gaza, British artists, writers and cultural workers have called on institutions to cut ties with those complicit in the violence.

Some faced censorship, but campaigners say more are recognising their duty to act.

Confirming the decision, Mr Beard said he is “appalled” by the crisis in Gaza and recognises the “deep emotional impact this has had across our community and wider society.”

“On this issue, we acknowledge and respect the full range of views held by our staff, artists and audiences,” he said.  

“We always endeavour to act with integrity and compassion.”