Chaos erupted at the Philharmonie de Paris on Thursday night when anti-Israel demonstrators stormed a performance by the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, waving Palestinian flags, shouting anti-Israel slogans, and igniting flares. The mob’s attempt to set the venue on fire forced musicians to halt mid-performance and temporarily evacuate the stage. The orchestra, affiliated with Tel Aviv University’s Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, described the incident as a “firebombing,” but the performance later resumed to thunderous applause from the French audience. The attack came after the French entertainment union CGT Spectacle publicly condemned the concert, labeling it an attempt to “normalize” Israel and accusing its leaders of “crimes in Gaza.” Despite the outrage, France’s culture minister Rachida Dati defended the orchestra, denouncing antisemitism and affirming that “freedom of creation and programming is a value of our republic.”

The violent disruption of a peaceful concert reflects a disturbing spiritual truth: antisemitism is no longer confined to politics—it has invaded every sphere of culture. Scripture warns that in the last days “all nations will be gathered against Jerusalem” (Zechariah 12:3), and the hatred now burning across Europe mirrors the rising hostility foretold in God’s Word. Music, a universal language meant to unite, is now targeted as a weapon of division when performed by Israelis. Yet even amid the flames, the orchestra’s return to finish their performance stands as a symbol of Israel’s resilience—an echo of God’s promise that though the world rages, His covenant people will not be silenced.

SOURCE: World Israel News