Israeli Concert Canceled: N-VA Threatens to Quit Gent Festival Board
- Federal MP Christoph of Haese (N-VA) has threatened to resign from the Board of Directors (CA) of the Gent Festival Van Vlaanderen if the board does not reconsider...
- Haese described the board's decision as "incomprehensible and unforgivable," criticizing the cancellation based on the identity of the orchestra's conductor.He urged his colleagues to avoid being "accomplices" to...
- The Münchner Philharmoniker, scheduled to perform on September 18 in Ghent under the direction of Lahav Shani, had its performance canceled by the Gent Festival Van Vlaanderen.
Belgian MP Threatens Resignation Over Gent Festival Cancellation of Munich Philharmonic
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Cancellation Sparks Outcry
Federal MP Christoph of Haese (N-VA) has threatened to resign from the Board of Directors (CA) of the Gent Festival Van Vlaanderen if the board does not reconsider its decision to cancel a concert by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra (Münchner Philharmoniker). He stated he “will assume full responsibility and resign from his position as a member of the Board of Directors” if his efforts to reverse the cancellation fail.
Haese described the board’s decision as “incomprehensible and unforgivable,” criticizing the cancellation based on the identity of the orchestra’s conductor.He urged his colleagues to avoid being “accomplices” to what he termed a “blatant act of racism,” specifically calling on the festival president to take responsibility.
Reasoning Behind the Cancellation
The Münchner Philharmoniker, scheduled to perform on September 18 in Ghent under the direction of Lahav Shani, had its performance canceled by the Gent Festival Van Vlaanderen. Organizers cited ”insufficient details as to its position in relation to the genocidal regime of tel Aviv” as the reason for the cancellation.
Political Response and Support
The N-VA appears to be leveraging the controversy for political gain. On September 13, 2024, Prime Minister Bart de Wever attended a concert by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra in Essen, Germany, in a show of support for conductor Lahav Shani, as reported by RTBF.