Israeli Orchestra Broadcast Halted by London Protesters

Pro-Palestinian disruptions stop BBC radio program
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 2, 2011 3:55 AM CDT
Protest Halts Israeli Orchestra Broadcast in Brit Music Fest
Israeli Philharmonic conductor Zubin Mehta stands before the interpretation of First Brahms symphonia on October 26, 2009 at the Madrid auditorium. AFP PHOTO/DOMINIQUE FAGET   (Getty Images)

Politics and a concert did not make beautiful music yesterday in London. A noisy pro-Palestinian protest against the Israeli Philharmonic at Albert Hall prevented a BBC radio broadcast of the music, part of Britain's celebrated Proms music festival. The persistent protesters were organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, whose representatives charged that the orchestra was "complicit in whitewashing Israel's violations of international law and human rights," reports the Telegraph.

Audience members booed the protesters, and one punched a demonstrator, reports the Los Angeles Times. The broadcast was stopped and the protesters (and violent audience member) were ejected before the performance continued. The BBC tweeted: "We're sorry that the concert was taken off air following hall disturbance. Glad both pieces were heard by the audience" in the Royal Albert Hall. The BBC Proms is an eight-day festival of concerts and other events. (More London stories.)

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