by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
PARIS (Worthy News) – French authorities have opened a formal judicial inquiry after chaos erupted during a concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Paris, where protesters lit flares and shouted anti-Israel slogans before being subdued by audience members.
Prosecutors confirmed that four suspects — three men and one woman — have been charged following the violent disruption at the Philharmonie de Paris on November 6, 2025.
The charges include violence or threat of violence, possession of incendiary materials, organising an unauthorised demonstration, and endangering the lives of others.
Investigators are examining how flares and smoke devices were smuggled past enhanced security, and whether the protest was coordinated by activist networks already under surveillance by France’s domestic intelligence agency.
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Lahav Shani, had just begun Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 when a woman shouted accusations that “Israel murders” and threw protest leaflets into the audience.
Moments later, another protester lit a red-smoke flare from the balcony, prompting panic as spectators rushed to extinguish it, video footage showed.
ISRAELI ANTHEM
The performance was briefly suspended, and police quickly detained several suspects as the concert hall filled with smoke.
After a short interruption, the musicians returned to the stage and completed the programme.
Video footage obtained by Worthy News showed that following the final applause, the orchestra members stood to perform Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah,” as an unannounced encore.
The visibly moved conductor briefly walked backstage after receiving a prolonged standing ovation from much of the audience.
The Philharmonie de Paris later confirmed it had not been informed in advance that the anthem would be performed, while French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the protest, saying that “no cause can justify putting the lives of concertgoers in danger.”
The disruption came amid a surge in pro-Palestinian activism and reported rising antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments across France and Europe following Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
A holocaust survivor in Amsterdam told Worthy News she is concerned about the rising anti-Israel sentiments and hatred toward Jewish people.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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