On july 9 2005, the Palestinian Boycott National Committee (BNC) issued its unified call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions from Israel, demanding full rights for Palestinians.
It is particularly troubling that the Cape Town Opera House decided to perform in Tel Aviv, with no other play than Porgy and Bess.
As the opera did not heed Desmond Tutu's call to cancel the show, a group of Israeli BDS supporters decided to emancipate the songs on opening night.