Iran nixes Israeli conductor’s Tehran performance
Culture minister reportedly canceling Berlin Philharmonic concert because Daniel Barenboim is an Israeli citizen
Iran says it will not allow Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim to perform at a Tehran concert.
According to a report by German newspaper Der Spiegel cited in the London Jewish Chronicle, the Iranian culture minster is canceling the Berlin Philharmonic concert because Barenboim is an Israeli citizen.
A spokesman for the ministry was quoted as saying that “Iran does not recognize the Zionist regime and will not co-operate with artists of this regime.”
The concert was announced earlier this week and had been planned for later this year.
Before Iran’s announcement, Israeli Minister of Culture Miri Regev and others in Israel had spoken out against the Argentine-born Barenboim, who is a frequent critic of the Israeli government, performing in the Islamic Republic.
“Iran is a state supporter of terror, stands behind Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and Hamas, and its leaders have blood on their hands,” Regev wrote on Facebook. “I believe Germany would do right to cancel the orchestra and conductor’s concert.”
This isn’t the first time Barenboim has run into controversy regarding Israel. He has attempted to have the music of anti-Semitic German composer Richard Wagner performed in Israel, in violation of an unofficial boycott. He also holds honorary Palestinian citizenship and conducted a concert in Ramallah in 2005.
The Times of Israel covers one of the most complicated, and contentious, parts of the world. Determined to keep readers fully informed and enable them to form and flesh out their own opinions, The Times of Israel has gradually established itself as the leading source of independent and fair-minded journalism on Israel, the region and the Jewish world.
We've achieved this by investing ever-greater resources in our journalism while keeping all of the content on our site free.
Unlike many other news sites, we have not put up a paywall. But we would like to invite readers who can afford to do so, and for whom The Times of Israel has become important, to help support our journalism by joining The Times of Israel Community. Join now and for as little as $6 a month you can both help ensure our ongoing investment in quality journalism, and enjoy special status and benefits as a Times of Israel Community member.
comments