Overview

• The Bundestag’s culture committee chair Sven Lehmann said he has invited Shani to brief the panel later this year on antisemitism in the arts and German–Israeli cultural relations.
• Shani and the Munich Philharmonic performed a short‑notice replacement concert at Musikfest Berlin’s Konzerthaus, receiving prolonged applause and standing ovations.
• Before the performance, Steinmeier met Shani in Berlin and called the Ghent exclusion clearly antisemitic and not justified by anything.
• Flanders Festival Ghent canceled the 18 September engagement citing Shani’s role with the Israel Philharmonic and alleging he lacked the “necessary clarity” about his stance toward Israel’s government.
• Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever publicly distanced himself from the festival’s decision and voiced solidarity with Shani.