Summary
A music festival in Belgium stopped a concert by a German orchestra because of concerns about the Israeli conductor's opinions on the Gaza conflict. The Flanders Festival Ghent was unsure about the conductor Lahav Shani's stance, leading to the cancellation. Belgian and German officials criticized this decision.
Key Facts
- The Flanders Festival in Belgium canceled a German orchestra's concert due to concerns over the Israeli conductor’s views.
- The concert was scheduled for September 18 in Ghent.
- The festival questioned conductor Lahav Shani’s stance on the conflict in Gaza.
- The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra expressed shock over the cancellation.
- Belgian and German officials criticized the decision, calling it unfair.
- Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot urged not to link Israeli identity with government policies.
- German Minister Wolfram Weimer described the cancellation as antisemitism.
- Israel's conflict with Gaza has resulted in over 64,650 deaths since October 2023.
