Philly Organizations Continue To Protest The Philadelphia Orchestra's Collaboration With Israeli Apartheid

The Philly Don't Orchestrate Apartheid coalition will gather for the third week in a row outside the Kimmel Center to protest The Philadelphia Orchestra's upcoming trip to Israel.

"We believe the orchestra's collaboration with an apartheid state is morally indefensible and we will continue to hold them accountable for their decision.

It is not fine for the orchestra's management to use our city's music in the service of a foreign government's propaganda strategy meant to exploit visits by International Artists to divert attention from its violent, repressive policies towards the indigenous Palestinian people.

Since Friday, March 30, as Palestinians in Gaza marched for their lives in the Great Return March, the Israeli military has attacked from land and air, injuring or killing over 3000 unarmed people in the span of just two weeks.

By performing in Israel, The Philadelphia Orchestra is providing musical accompaniment to Israel's contempt and wanton destruction of Palestinian life.

The orchestra claims their tour is "[not] a political mission," yet they are touting it is "in celebration of its [Israel's] 70th anniversary." They met with Israeli government officials to plan the tour and are scheduled to meet more high level government and military officials. What kind of cultural institution studs its itinerary with so many military and political personalities?"

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