A man was arrested after allegedly breaching the Israel Pavilion at Edmonton’s Heritage Festival and striking its kitchen tent with a knife, forcing Israeli dancers preparing to perform to rush into shelter. No injuries were reported.

Security subdued the suspect as anti-Zionist protesters demonstrated nearby, with chants including “All Zionists are racist” heard around the festival grounds. The protest reportedly continued for nearly three hours.

After authorities gave the all-clear, organizers offered the dancers a choice: perform a shortened routine in front of the hostile crowd or cancel altogether.

They chose to dance.

As the chants continued, the Israeli performers returned to the stage in what Jewish Federation of Edmonton CEO Stacey Leavitt-Wright described as a display of determination and pride.