Belgian Festival Cancels German Orchestra Over Israeli Conductor

The Flanders Festival Ghent in Belgium canceled a scheduled performance by the Munich Philharmonic, led by Israeli conductor Lahav Shani, due to concerns about his perceived position on Israel's ongoing military actions against Hamas in Gaza. Festival organizers stated they could not clarify Shani's stance and chose to avoid collaboration with partners who had not unequivocally distanced themselves from the Israeli government, aiming to maintain the event's serenity amid emotional reactions. This decision sparked strong condemnation from German officials, including Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer, who called it a "disgrace for Europe" and criticized it as a cultural boycott disguised as political criticism. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot described the cancellation as "excessive" and emphasized the need to distinguish between Israeli citizens and government policies. The Munich Philharmonic and the City of Munich condemned the move, highlighting Shani's commitment to dialogue, peace, and humanism, and rejecting the collective punishment of Israeli artists based on their nationality. The incident underscores the deep tensions and divisions in Europe over responses to the Israel-Hamas conflict and raises concerns about cultural freedom and anti-Semitism.