![Lahav Shani (C), future Chief Conductor of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, on stage during the "Klassik Am Odeonsplatz" Mercedes-Benz Reception at Studio Odeonsplatz by Mercedes-Benz on July 13, 2024 in Munich, Germany. [Photo by Hannes Magerstaedt/Getty Images]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GettyImages-2161944398-1.jpg)
The Israeli Ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, has condemned the exclusion of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Israeli maestro Lahav Shani, from a Belgian music festival, describing it as “pure antisemitism.” In an interview with the German media group Funke, published on Friday, Prosor said: “Musicians, visitors and sponsors of the festival come from all over the world. Yet the only person excluded is the maestro from Israel – this is pure antisemitism.” The Flanders Festival in Ghent announced on Wednesday that the cancellation was linked to Shani’s role as principal conductor of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. The Munich Philharmonic had been scheduled to perform at the festival on 18 September. Festival organisers said there was “not enough clarity” […]
