Four people have been detained by French police following protests during a concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Paris on Thursday night.
Clashes erupted in the auditorium during the performance, which featured conductor Lahav Shani and pianist Sir Andras Schiff, as protests were aimed at disrupting the event.
The concert, which included works by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, faced criticism prior to its occurrence. A French union for the performing arts had voiced its opposition, while pro-Palestinian activists had called for a boycott.
In response to the chaos, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati reaffirmed the importance of artistic freedom as a core value, contrasting with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s condemnation of the violent disruption.
Disruptions occurred three times during the concert, including two instances involving flares, leading to smoke filling the venue. Concertgoers intervened when one protester ignited a flare, resulting in physical clashes.
The Philharmonie de Paris condemned the actions of the protesters, indicating legal actions would be pursued against those responsible. The event ignited strong responses from government representatives, with Nuñez commending the police's quick response.
Conversely, some political figures, such as Manon Aubry from the radical left France Unbowed, chose not to denounce the protest, asserting that the orchestra is linked to the Israeli government's actions.
Prior to the concert, activists sought its cancellation, although a union representative refrained from calling for such a boycott, urging instead awareness of the alleged human rights violations associated with Israel.
Overall, the incident has reignited discussions on the roles of art and politics, especially in contexts involving global humanitarian issues, as highlighted by Rachida Dati's resolve against antisemitism amid growing tensions.
