Pro-Palestinian Protesters in UK Target Performance by Arab-Jewish Ensemble at British Library
A banner calls for a boycott of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at a pro-Palestinian rally in 2025 against the performance of the orchestra with its music director Lahav Shani. Photo: Malin Wunderlich/dpa via Reuters Connect…
Assessment
A protest at the British Library targeted a concert by Shesh Besh, an Arab-Jewish ensemble from the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's educational program. The demonstrators are calling for a boycott of the IPO itself. The incident shows how cultural events that aim to build bridges are becoming flashpoints in the UK's ongoing debate over Israel.