Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)
Following the media release we issued yesterday – PSNA received confirmation early this morning that New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conductor Gemma New has pulled out of her concerts scheduled for Israel in January 2026 where she was to conduct the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra.
The concerts are still on the IPO website but in response to a letter from PSNA last week, Gemma New has replied through a New York artists agency this morning…
“The result is a significant win for the BDS movement to isolate apartheid Israel.”
“New is joining artists and performers from all over the world who turn their backs on apartheid Israel.”
“The ‘official travel guidance’ reason given by the agency for the concert withdrawal doesn’t stack up. It’s simply public relations spin to cover what was a dreadful decision to go in the first place.”
“As we pointed out yesterday any performance in Israel would be seen as support for Israeli war crimes.”
“The IPO plays concerts with Israeli soldiers in full uniform and puts them on YouTube.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLjucRUyd4Y
“Music and performance in the apartheid state is tightly linked to the brutal oppression of Palestinians,’ says Nazzal. “It’s the same for every aspect of life for under an Israeli military occupation”.
Maher Nazzal
Co-Chair PSNA
