Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Belgian PM Bart De Wever attended the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra concert in Essen, supporting Israeli conductor Lahav Shani after the Ghent Festival cancelled his show amid Israel-Gaza conflict concerns.
As GVA News reported, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever attended a concert by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra in Essen, Germany, on Saturday, Sep 13, 2025. The orchestra was conducted by renowned Israeli maestro Lahav Shani. The performance took place amid growing international concern over the conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking about the recent events, De Wever said he had feared that the Israeli government could become involved in a long and violent confrontation in Gaza after the Hamas terrorist attack. He said that fear has now come true and that the consequences are devastating for civilians in the region.
Why did Belgium’s PM De Wever attend the Munich concert after the Ghent cancellation?
In a statement shared on Facebook, De Wever stressed Belgium’s support for international measures to stop the violence. He said Belgium fully backs the targeted sanctions proposed by the European Union to help end the war. He emphasised that the safety and protection of innocent people are the highest priorities, regardless of their nationality, religion, or background.
The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra was scheduled to perform in Ghent on September 18, 2025, with Israeli conductor Lahav Shani leading the ensemble. However, the Ghent Festival of Flanders cancelled the concert. Organisers said there was
“insufficient clarity regarding the conductor’s attitude toward the genocidal regime.”
The cancellation stirred public debate.
De Wever shared a photo from the performance on Instagram. His attendance was seen as a statement in support of artistic freedom. He criticised what he called an overly cautious approach by cultural institutions in judging performers’ personal positions.
“Let me be very clear,”
said De Wever.
“Never, ever will there be any room for racism and antisemitism in this country. That’s where I draw the line. I therefore strongly condemn the recent removal of the Munich Philharmonic by the Flanders Festival Ghent, solely based on the background of conductor Lahav Shani. I insisted on delivering this message to him personally and expressing my appreciation for his contribution to the power of music.”
The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1893, is one of Europe’s most prestigious ensembles and has performed under many world-renowned conductors. Lahav Shani, the Israeli conductor, has led the orchestra since 2018 and is known for his dynamic interpretations of classical and contemporary works. The Ghent Festival of Flanders is an annual cultural event established in 1898.
Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
