Wednesday, September 10, 2008

U.S. artist "made to dance" by Israeli security

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer Abdur-Rahim Jackson is seen at the Israeli Opera in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. A performer with the renowned Alvin Ailey dance troupe was ordered to perform steps for Israeli airport security officers to convince them of his identity, a spokesman for the company said Tuesday. Abdur-Rahim Jackson was singled out from other members of the black American dance ensemble when they arrived at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Sunday night at the start of a six-nation international tour, said publicist Shauli Baskin. (AP Photo/Moti Milrod)

The group said airport officials had provided no explanation about the treatment of Abdur-Rahim Jackson, who has a Muslim father but is engaged to a fellow dancer who is Jewish with a large family in Israel.

There are times when the actions of Israel leave me with a loss for words - this is one of those times. But, I do have a question - is Palestine, by chance, listed among the six nations in which they will perform?

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