Controversy looms over the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) as pro Palestinian demonstrators looked to protest outside the Walt Disney Concert Hall when the Israeli orchestra performed there on Oct. 30.
The Israel Philharmonic who was headed up by conductor Zubin Mehta have been met with protest almost everywhere they turn in this classical music season with Los Angeles the latest place to see demonstrators assemble at their concerts.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Oct. 30 that a group of protesters were planning to make their voices heard about the IPO playing in Los Angeles.
The show which saw the orchestra and Mehta accompanied by pianist Yuja Wang got under way around 8 p.m. where the ensemble would perform Schubert, Chopin and Brahms.
According to the L.A. Times the planned protested was headed up by local groups. The representatives are demanding that the city of Los Angeles stop hosting cultural groups from Israel.
The Times reported that Marsha Steinberg, one of the organizers, said in an interview that she regards Israel as "an apartheid nation," because of its policies toward Palestinians in the region.
A few days ago at New York's Carnegie Hall the Israel Philharmonic were met with further protest. It was reported by the Jerusalem Post that the ensemble was met by at least 60 protesters outside the Manhattan venue on Thursday evening.
Protesters chanted. "Oboe, trumpet or bassoon/ Apartheid is out of tune" and "IPO gets no ovation / Ambassador for occupation."
Daniel Strum of Adalah-NY a New York campaign supporting the boycott of Israel said. "Tonight we are telling the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, and the Israeli government that its 'Brand Israel' campaign cannot cover up the injustice that Palestinians face."
The IPO history is filled with this sort of demonstration. The group was formed in the 1930s because many Jewish musicians were expelled and barred from playing in Europe due to anti-Semitism at the height of Nazi reign at the time and recently the group was met will similar protest in the British Isles prompting a group official to say it was "unlikely," that the IPO will before in the region again.
