The institution claims to have filed a second complaint, targeting all of the violence committed on November 6. She also specifies that the orchestra took the initiative alone to perform the Israeli anthem.
A scene of anarchy in the temple of classicism. On November 6, the arrival of the Israel Philharmonic in Paris led to action by pro-Palestinian activists. The political class, with the exception of LFI, condemned this outbreak of violence within the grounds of the Philharmonie de Paris (XIXe borough). Two weeks after filing a complaint, the establishment made an additional clarification in a letter signed by its general director, Olivier Mantei.
“Whatever everyone’s opinions, we cannot accept that our concert halls become places of violence. These rooms are common property. Spaces in which people who do not know each other, and whose ideas are possibly very different, share a sensitive experience”begins by reaffirming the institution, which hosts several hundred concerts, meetings and workshops per year.
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Brawl and filing of complaints
Above all, the Philharmonie de Paris announces that it has filed a second complaint. “After the first complaint filed after the concert, a few days ago we filed a complaint against X to target all the people who committed acts of physical or verbal violence during this evening. It will be up to justice to determine the exact circumstances in which this violence was committed but also to identify and assess the responsibilities of each person. »
On November 6, ticketed spectators attempted in various ways to interrupt the concert led by conductor Lahav Shani, including lighting smoke bombs. Other spectators intervened, causing violent scuffles. Four pro-Palestinians were indicted, notably for endangering others. They in turn filed a complaint for violation of the secrecy of the investigation or, concerning two of them, for violence.
Subsequently, a brawl broke out as the indictees left the Paris police station. Between a group favorable to the defendants and a pro-Israeli group. Police officers intervened to separate them, three people were injured. Two men belonging to the first of the two groups will be tried in May for death threats against a person holding public authority or rebellion and contempt.
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The development of the establishment also concerns an initiative of the Israel Philharmonic, which performed that evening with the great pianist András Schiff: “In reaction to the disruptions of the concert, the orchestra performed as a second encore the Israeli anthem which was not included in the program and which was not played elsewhere as part of the European tour. The Philharmonie would like to point out that this choice was that of the orchestra and of it alone. » A way of reaffirming its neutrality for the institution, which calls itself “shocked” by events but “fully committed” in the continuation of its missions. In the service of music.