Four individuals were detained by French police following protests that resulted in the use of flares during a concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Paris. The concert, led by conductor Lahav Shani and featuring pianist Sir Andras Schiff, faced interruptions at least three times during its performance of works by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.
The event had drawn criticism prior to its start, with a French performing arts union expressing disapproval and pro-Palestinian activists advocating for a boycott. In defense of the concert, Culture Minister Rachida Dati emphasized the importance of artistic freedom, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the disturbances, labeling them as serious.
According to the Philharmonie de Paris, ticket holders attempted to interrupt the performance on multiple occasions, using flares that led to smoke filling the auditorium. A video reportedly captured one protester wielding a flare and being confronted by attendees, which subsequently escalated into clashes. The venue confirmed that the disruptive attendees were removed and the concert ultimately continued to a peaceful conclusion. Legal action against those involved is being pursued by the venue.
Reactions to the disturbances included strong disapproval from government officials, with Nuñez praising the police’s swift response. In contrast, Manon Aubry, a European Parliament member, refrained from denouncing the protests, linking the orchestra’s artists to actions of the Israeli state.
Pro-Palestinian activists had aimed to halt the event, but the CGT-Spectacle union stopped short of a cancellation demand. They called on the Philharmonie to remind attendees of serious allegations against Israeli leaders, viewing the concert as a form of normalization.
Rachida Dati further asserted that calls for cultural boycotts are unjustifiable and denounced antisemitism. The recent disruption drew parallels to past controversies involving Lahav Shani, who previously faced backlash surrounding performances in Belgium due to unclear positions on the Israeli government. The Philharmonie de Paris labeled the entry of violence into concert settings as particularly grave and unacceptable.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3w9lgx1gnxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss