The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance in Paris was marred by repeated disruptions as protesters brandished flares and triggered sound alarms, causing panic among the audience and forcing musicians to leave the stage. The incident, which occurred on Thursday night at the Paris Philharmonic concert hall, led to the detention of four individuals. Pro-Palestinian activists also demonstrated outside the venue, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding the Gaza conflict spilling into European protests. The French government condemned the disruptions as antisemitic and an attack on cultural freedom. Witnesses inside the hall described a performance fraught with chaos, as the orchestra faced multiple interruptions. Osnat Menache, an official from the Israeli Embassy in Paris, recounted the ordeal, stating that every 10 to 20 minutes, someone attempted to sabotage the concert. Minutes into the performance, loud alarms forced the orchestra to halt and exit the stage. Protesters shouted slogans such as ‘Israel Assassin,’ as reported by Jonathan Arfi, president of France’s national Jewish organization CRIF. Flares were also ignited, with one landing dangerously close to the orchestra. Despite the turmoil, the musicians eventually returned to complete the concert. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez denounced the disruptions on social media, emphasizing that ‘nothing can justify them.’ Earlier, a group of pro-Palestinian musicians had urged the Paris Philharmonic’s director to cancel the event, arguing that it would endorse Israel’s impunity and misuse classical music to whitewash its policies. The group maintained its stance despite a recent ceasefire, citing unresolved historical issues. Arfi criticized the disruptions as an attempt to ‘kidnap culture and arts’ to propagate violent messages within French society. Menache emphasized the French government’s commitment to addressing such antisemitic acts, stating that ‘every antisemitic act should be brought to justice.’
Protesters disrupt an Israeli Philharmonic concert in Paris. 4 people are detained
