Belgian festival cancels concert by Israeli conductor. Critics speak of anti-Semitism

The cancellation of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra's performance at the music festival in Ghent, Belgium, has sparked sharp international criticism. The event organizers canceled the concert by Israeli conductor Lahav Shani on the grounds that he had not sufficiently distanced himself from the “genocidal regime in Tel Aviv.”

According to a statement, the festival acted in consultation with the Flemish Minister of Culture and the city council. It emphasized that “music should be a source of connection.”

The Israeli ambassador to Germany, Ron Pros'or, described the decision to Politico as a modern form of anti-Semitism and compared it to the persecution of Jewish musicians during the Nazi regime. He added that the organizers must be held accountable for the unlawful discrimination.

The Minister-President of the Flemish Region, Matthias Diependaele, also expressed criticism. Artists should not be equated with the actions of governments on the basis of their nationality, he said.

The artistic director of the festival, on the other hand, argued that Shani, who was previously chief conductor of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, had had several opportunities to clarify his position on the war in Gaza but had failed to do so.

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