BRUSSELS / ISTANBUL
A Munich Philharmonic Orchestra concert in Belgium was canceled over uncertainty about the conductor’s stance on the Israeli government.
The orchestra’s concert at a Ghent music festival was canceled amid uncertainty over Israeli chief conductor Lahav Shani’s stance on Tel Aviv’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, the festival administration said in a statement Thursday.
They said they preferred to avoid collaborating with those who do not clearly distance themselves from the Israeli regime.
Pointing to the “inhumane” situation in Gaza, the administration said allowing the concert scheduled for Sept. 18 to go ahead would be undesirable.
Slamming the move, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said he "deeply regrets" the festival's decision, claiming it "inflicted severe damage” on the country’s reputation.
"This decision has rightfully provoked great consternation and has been characterized as antisemitic. To impose a professional ban on someone solely because of their origin is both reckless and irresponsible," he wrote Friday on US social media company X.
Palestinian advocates have long condemned rhetorical efforts to equate criticism of Israel with antisemitism, pointing out that, in fact, many Jews see, especially recent actions by Tel Aviv, as deeply immoral and wrong.