Protesters repeatedly disrupted a performance by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Paris, hurling flares that triggered panic among the attendees, prompting the musicians to leave the stage, according to the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, some pro-Palestinian activists also protested outside Thursday night’s performance at the Paris Philharmonic concert hall.
President of France’s national Jewish organization CRIF, Jonathan Arfi, said that the chaos began when a protester shouted, “Israel assassin,” and then protesters ignited red flares twice. As a result, the musician had to briefly withdraw from the stage and he later returned to complete the performance.
“I condemn this action, it was dangerous, it is a way to kidnap culture and arts in order to use it to send violent messages inside French society,” Arfi said.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez noted that authorities arrested four people, noting that “nothing can justify” these actions.
The Paris Philharmonic announced that it had filed a complaint over the disruption, adding it “deplores and strongly condemns the serious incidents that occurred”.
Hosting Israel’s orchestra in France was largely criticized from several groups ahead of the concert, over Israel’ two-year war in Gaza and its utter rejection to the delivery of humanitarian aid.
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