Pro-Palestinian activists disrupt Israel Philharmonic Orchestra concert in London

[bemildred]

For the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, marking its 75th anniversary, it was a jarring first, and in a city that has been one of the orchestra's most welcoming hosts: the repeated disruption of its concert at Royal Albert Hall in London on Thursday night by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, to the point that the BBC cut off its live broadcast and played recordings of the evening's program instead.

The protest was a first, too, for the BBC's Promenade Concerts, a popular rite of summer in Britain since 1895 that aims, promoters say, to bring classical music to the widest possible audience, performed by orchestras and ensembles from across the world.

According to the BBC, no other performance since the live "Proms" broadcasts began in the 1930s has been disrupted by protests. As for halting a broadcast altogether, a BBC spokesman said the only precedent anybody could remember was during German bombing raids on London in World War II.

If any other marker were needed, the concert was billed as a celebration of the 75th birthday earlier this year of Zubin Mehta, who has been musical director of the Israeli orchestra, known as the IPO, and before that the orchestra's musical adviser, for a total of more than 40 years.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/pro-palestinian-activists-disrupt-israel-philharmonic-orchestra-concert-in-london-1.382289

[bemildred]

1. Report: London Philharmonic suspends musicians for anti-Israel remarks

A report in UK daily The Guardian stated that the London Philharmonic Orchestra has suspended four of its musicians for nine months for adopting its name when they called for the cancellation of an Israeli orchestra’s concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

According to the Guardian, the orchestra suspended cellist Sue Sutherley, as well as violinists Tom Eisner, Nancy Elan and Sarah Streatfeild until June 2012, after they signed a letter as members of the LPO condemning the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra as an instrument of Israeli propaganda.

The musicians’ statement claimed that “denials of human rights and violations of international law are hidden behind a cultural smokescreen. The IPO is perhaps Israel's prime asset in this campaign”, and that Israel's policy toward the Palestinians “fits the UN definition of apartheid."

The Guardian’s report states that both Orchestra chief executive Tim Walker, as well as chairman Martin Hohmann released a statement regarding the suspensions, which were meant to send a “strong and clear message that their actions will not be tolerated … the orchestra would never restrict the right of its players to express themselves freely, however such expression has to be independent of the LPO itself.”

http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/report-london-philharmonic-suspends-musicians-for-anti-israel-remarks-1.385002

[LeftishBrit]

2. Idiots.

If they want to make a point, it would IMO be much better to press for the invitation of Palestinian musicians.

[bemildred]

4. Dang. We agree again. nt

[Kurska]

3. Apparently Israelis attempting to live their professional lives is "white washing war crimes."

What a wonderful sentiment.

[vminfla]

5. Such an ugly display of intolerance

Nothing gets the message out loud and clear than being disruptive. It clearly demonstrates that these boycott groups are full of hatred towards Israel based out of intolerance and disrespectful.