London (CNN) — The Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO), one of Britain’s most prestigious arts institutions, has canceled its planned production of “Tosca” in Israel after a widespread staff backlash.

In a recent open letter, 182 members of staff said they “reject” holding current or future performances in Israel because of its war in Gaza.

The RBO had planned to stage the three-act opera, which dramatizes the “devastation of war,” in collaboration with the Israeli Opera in Tel Aviv next year.

But the signatories accused the RBO of having “chosen to actively support the Israeli state” while its government is “currently engaged in crimes against humanity” in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Alex Beard, RBO’s chief executive, confirmed to CNN Wednesday that the production had been canceled, b

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