From a forthright interview by Jeffrey Arlo Brown with violinist Michael Barenboim for VAN magazine:
Would you describe yourself as an anti-Zionist?
I definitely don’t see the point in trying to maintain this ideology that led to genocide, apartheid, and ethno-nationalist thinking. Trying to preserve that isn’t rational. It’s not rational to try to protect that from self-destruction. So, yes: I’m not a Zionist at all.
András Schiff recently told me that he’s boycotting the United States, but not Israel. As a musician, what’s your stance on a boycott of Israel?
That’s a personal decision. What I can say is that in its advisory opinion of July 19, 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled on the legality of the occupation. Spoiler alert: It is not legal. It also calls on all states to cease all support for measures that would perpetuate the occupation. Looking at reality, what exactly would you support that doesn’t perpetuate the occupation? What is there in Israel about which you could confidently say: I support something that in no way furthers the occupation? The court mandates that—that’s not a great insight on my part. …
If the Israel Philharmonic asked you to perform in a concert, what would you say?
I wouldn’t do that. Not anymore.
And what if it were a concert or an ensemble in Israel that is less closely connected to the Israeli state?
I can’t see into the future what will happen in ten or twenty years, but I don’t see myself traveling there.
It seems that traveling to the USA is also complicated for you.
You don’t have to look far to find information about my activism. So, I haven’t been to the US yet and don’t plan to travel there at the moment….
When you speak about the war, are you speaking for the Divan Orchestra and the Academy?
No. I’ve never said that, and I don’t think anyone seriously thinks so. I have all these other projects: Make Freedom Ring , Nasmé , Kilmé ; I write, I give speeches… The Academy has a representative, and that’s the rector, whom I admire greatly. What I want to say is that what I say doesn’t contradict what the Academy or the Divan would say. I can say that with conviction.
Full interview here.
Michael Barenboim 40, is concertmaster of the West-Eastern Diwan Orchestra, founded by his father, Daniel Barenboim, and a director of the Barenboim-Said Academy.
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