Khaberni- The world-renowned conductor Zubin Mehta announced the cancellation of all his commitments and artistic projects in Israel over the coming year in protest against the policies of Benjamin Netanyahu's government in dealing with the Palestinian issue.
Mehta (89 years old), in an interview with India Today, said that he made his decision because of his opposition to "the way Netanyahu deals with the entire Palestinian issue," adding: "I can no longer turn a blind eye like many of my colleagues do."
Mehta expressed hope that the upcoming Israeli elections would bring about a political change, but he was pessimistic about this, considering that Netanyahu has a large majority in the Knesset.
In a rare statement, Mehta emphasized that he could no longer separate music from the political reality, urging artists to take clear positions on controversial issues, saying: "Many turn a blind eye, and I cannot agree with them."
Mehta is considered one of the foremost orchestra conductors in the world, and he served as the music director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra for 55 years, before retiring in 2019. He has also led major global orchestras and received several international awards and honors.
His new stance comes after years of opposing artists' boycotts of Israel, and previously he was keen on visiting the country during periods of war and crises, but his recent statements reflect a clear shift in his political stance.
