Paris, France – The Philharmonic Hall in Paris witnessed violent disruptions and repeated attempts to disrupt a concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra on Thursday evening, November 6. The concert was conducted by Maestro Lahav Shani. Activists used smoke bombs in their attempts to disrupt the performance, prompting police intervention and the arrest of four suspects.
violent disruption attempts
The controversy began as soon as the musical performance started. While the orchestra was performing classical pieces, an activist shouted “Israel, murderer!” and threw leaflets bearing anti-Israel slogans such as “No music for settlers, death to the occupation.”
After the first spectator was removed, two more attempts to disrupt the event occurred, this time using smoke bombs. Some attendees intervened to restore order, resulting in clashes inside the hall.
About fifteen police cars surrounded the area. Once the troublemakers were removed, the concert resumed.
Official condemnations and legal prosecutions
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed that four suspects had been arrested following the incident.
The Paris Philharmonic Orchestra condemned the “serious incidents” in a statement and announced it would file a formal complaint.
Rejecting violence: The foundation affirmed that “nothing justifies such acts.” It also stressed that “threatening the safety of the public, staff, and artists is unacceptable.” It stated that “violence can never achieve progress.”
The president of the Crimean Art Union, Yonatan Orfi, denounced the “malicious instigators” and called for “deterrent punishments”.
Previous controversy and institutional boycott
The event was surrounded by widespread controversy and calls for its cancellation from several organizations, including the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
The CGT-Spectacle union also criticized the orchestra’s hosting, deeming it an attempt to “normalize” Israel. Meanwhile, international musical figures signed a petition “against the boycott,” emphasizing that the orchestra “brings together artists from all backgrounds.”
It is worth noting that the orchestra conductor, Lahav Shani, faced a similar controversy last September when he was excluded from the program of the Ghent Festival in Belgium. He attributed this to succumbing to “political pressure.”
