Israeli conductor Lahav Shani has publicly responded to the cancellation of his scheduled concert with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra at Flanders Festival Ghent, stating that the event organizers had “yielded to political pressures” and expressing gratitude towards Prime Minister Bart De Wever for his support, reports 24brussels.
The festival organizers announced the cancellation of Thursday’s concert due to Shani’s affiliation with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, citing their inability to provide “sufficient clarity” regarding his stance on the Israeli government’s actions. The board confirmed the cancellation on Monday, which led to the resignation of two members in protest.
“Over the last days, I found myself along with two of the orchestras dearest to my heart, the Munich Philharmonic and the Israel Philharmonic, unwillingly swept into an unexpected public storm that quickly escalated into a diplomatic incident,” Shani stated in a message posted on the orchestra’s website on Tuesday.
The management of the Ghent festival “acted under the pretense that ‘music should be a source of connection and reconciliation’,” according to Shani.
“But in doing so, they emptied this statement of all meaning, yielding to political pressures, demanding that I make a political declaration despite my long-standing and publicly expressed commitment to peace and reconciliation.”
‘Deeply distressing’
Shani reflected on the attacks carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023, describing them as “horrific and unprecedented,” resulting in the deaths of 1,175 people and the abduction of 251 others.
“Israeli society continues to mourn the consequences of Hamas’s inhumane attack and longing for the return of 48 civilians who are still held hostage in unbearable conditions,” he added.
“Yet, I, like many Israelis, have not abandoned my human values. The images and testimonies coming out of Gaza are deeply distressing, and it is impossible to remain indifferent to the suffering of civilians in Gaza amidst the catastrophe this war has brought upon them. Everything must be done to end the war as soon as possible and begin the long process of healing and rebuilding for both societies.”
Damaged reputation
The cancellation has sparked controversy, with Flemish Minister of Culture Caroline Gennez from the Vooruit party supporting the decision, while the N-VA party condemned it as discriminatory.
In response to the cancellation, two members of the festival’s board of directors, Christoph D’Haese and Annemie Charlier of the N-VA, resigned on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever, also from the N-VA, criticized the decision and attended a concert led by Shani in Germany this week to help restore Belgium’s reputation, which he believes has suffered due to the incident.
“It was also profoundly meaningful that the Prime Minister of Belgium expressed his solidarity by attending our concert last Saturday in Essen,” Shani noted.
He and the Munich Philharmonic received a standing ovation in Berlin on Monday following a last-minute invitation to perform after the Ghent concert’s cancellation.
