Elham Asaad Buaras
Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted a BBC Proms performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall on August 29, accusing the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra of silencing artists critical of Israel’s war in Gaza.
Members of the group Jewish Artists for Palestine halted the concert for more than 10 minutes, shouting from the upper stalls that the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra had “silenced artists” and was “complicit in genocide.” Banners were displayed with the group’s name and the words “complicit in genocide.”
One demonstrator shouted, “The MSO has blood on its hands. You silenced Jayson Gillham,” referring to the Australian pianist who is suing the orchestra after it cancelled his scheduled performance on August 15, 2024.
Gillham alleges the cancellation was retaliation for remarks he made on stage about Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has denied discrimination, saying the cancellation was linked to protocol over unauthorised remarks rather than free speech. It later described the decision as an “error” and said it was working to reschedule Gillham’s concert. His case is due to go to trial on December 1.
The BBC said the broadcast on Radio 3 was briefly diverted to pre-recorded music while security removed the protesters. The concert later resumed in a revised order.
In a statement, Jewish Artists for Palestine said: “We reject Zionist funding, censorship and complicity in our cultural institutions.”
Photo: Royal Albert Hall, London (Credit: Wikimedia)
