Belgian Prime Minister Attends German concert in Protest of festival Cancellation
ESSEN, Germany (AP) – In a pointed display of solidarity, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever traveled to Germany Saturday evening to attend a concert led by Israeli conductor Lahav Shani, whose performance was canceled by the Flanders Festival Ghent in Belgium. The move underscores growing international criticism of the festival’s decision and accusations of antisemitism.
The concert, given by the Munich Philharmonic in Essen, was arranged after the Flanders Festival Ghent announced Wednesday it was canceling Shani’s scheduled Sept. 18 performance. The festival stated that despite Shani’s past advocacy for peace,”in the light of his role as the chief conductor of the Israel Philharmonic orchestra,we are unable to provide sufficient clarity about his attitude to the genocidal regime in Tel Aviv.”
Israel vehemently denies allegations of genocide in Gaza, but has faced increasing scrutiny and isolation over its actions, including within the cultural sector.Israel’s ambassador to Belgium, Idit Rosenzweig-Abu, condemned the cancellation as discrimination, stating on social network X that it was “racism” and, in the case of a Jew, “antisemitism.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised De Wever’s attendance as “a strong signal of solidarity.” De Wever himself posted a picture with shani on X,declaring “there will never,ever be any room for racism and antisemitism” in Belgium and strongly condemning the cancellation “solely on the basis of the origin of conductor Lahav Shani.” He added that he wanted to personally express his appreciation for Shani’s contribution to music.
The controversy has prompted further action, with a music festival in Berlin also extending a last-minute invitation for Shani and the Munich Philharmonic to perform on Monday. Shani is currently the music director of the Israel Philharmonic orchestra and chief conductor of the Rotterdam philharmonic Orchestra, and is slated to become the Munich Philharmonic’s chief conductor next year.
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