Belgian festival scraps performance by Munich Philharmonic over Israeli conductor

A prominent German orchestra’s performance at a Belgian festival has been canceled over concerns about its Israeli conductor, organizers said Wednesday, sparking criticism from German and Belgian officials as well as the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Munich Philharmonic had been due to perform on September 18 at the Flanders Festival Ghent, led by its future chief conductor, Israeli musician Lahav Shani.

Shani, who officially takes over as conductor of the Munich orchestra for the 2026/27 season, is currently music director of the Israel Philharmonic.

Festival organizers said they were “unable to provide sufficient clarity about his attitude” toward the Israeli government, whose ongoing war in Gaza against the Palestinian terror group Hamas has triggered international uproar.

“We have chosen to refrain from collaboration with partners who have not distanced themselves unequivocally from that regime,” the organizers said in a statement, while also noting Shani had “spoken out in favor of peace and reconciliation several times in the past.”

Organizers added that “the current situation” was leading to “emotional reactions,” and they wanted to “maintain the serenity” of the event, according to the statement.

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra expressed “profound regret” and said it “firmly condemns the decision.”

“In the world of music and art, there is simply no place for withdrawing an invitation based on one’s place of origin,” the philharmonic said. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Munich Philharmonic for their steadfast support of Lahav Shani, and we send Lahav a warm embrace of solidarity and encouragement.”

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said the cancellation seemed “excessive.”

“We must not confuse the Jewish community and Israelis with Netanyahu’s policies,” he told local radio RTBF, referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The German Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer criticized the move as a “disgrace for Europe.”

“Under the guise of supposed criticism of Israel, a cultural boycott is being carried out here,” he said in a statement.

Germany has traditionally been one of Israel’s staunchest international allies, although Berlin has grown more critical as Israel’s military offensive against Hamas grinds on.

The ongoing war in the Gaza Strip was started by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza as a result of the war and Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza have fueled widespread public anger in Europe, although the region’s governments have been divided on how to respond.