Belgium prime minister supports Israeli conductor amid Festival controversy
Belgium’s Prime Minister, Bart De Wever, attended a concert in Essen, Germany, led by Israeli conductor Lahav Shani, who had been excluded from a Belgian festival. The Munich Philharmonic was removed from the Ghent Festival after concerns arose over Shani’s association with Israel, sparking accusations of antisemitism.
De Wever, a vocal critic of the festival’s decision, said he traveled to Essen to personally convey his support for Shani and to denounce any form of racism or antisemitism. Sharing a photo of himself with the conductor on X, he emphasized the importance of music as a unifying force.
Festival organizers had stated that Shani had not “unequivocally” distanced himself from the Israeli government amid international criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The decision faced backlash from multiple countries, including Germany and Israel.
In a show of solidarity, the Berlin Philharmonic extended a last-minute invitation for Shani to perform at a German festival next week. At 36, Shani is the current music director of the Israel Philharmonic and will officially lead the Munich Philharmonic in the 2026-27 season.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions in Europe regarding cultural events and the geopolitical impact of the conflict in Gaza.
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