Lahav Shani: Concert is definitely cancelled over Gaza controversy
The board of directors of the Ghent Festival of Flanders made the final decision Monday night to cancel the Munich Philharmonic concert featuring Israeli conductor Lahav Shani, Belga learned. The decision, announced last week, sparked widespread criticism both nationally and internationally.
Opponents, such as Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever, called the decision antisemitic, while supporters found the conductor's lack of condemnation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip problematic.
According to the festival, the cancellation was not based on prejudice. ‘The decision was in no way based on Shani's origins or nationality, nor was his personal integrity questioned," the board of directors stated. The festival regrets the commotion and controversy but confirms that the concert will not take place on Thursday. In future programming, they intend to "continue to focus on artistic connection and inclusion.’
The cancellation is also motivated by the fear of protests from pro-Palestine groups. A right-wing member of the board of directors (Christoph D’Haese, of the same party as the Belgian PM) said he would resign if the cancellation was confirmed.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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