The son, a violinist, is more outspoken than his father in an interview with BR:
MB: As classical musicians, we can’t really change the reasons for Israel’s attacks and for the starvation of the population. But we can do something. We are now collecting money for Medico International, who, with the help of partners – in Gaza, for example, the Palestinian Medical Release Society – are doing really important work for the population there. And yes, I think there should be more of it. I think many of our colleagues could also get involved in it.
BR-KLASSIK: Why is that missing?
MB: There are several reasons for this. Firstly, there is the feeling that it could be controversial. That it could have consequences for one’s career, meaning that one would get fewer concert invitations. Or that one might be criticized in the press because, of course, unlike in other conflicts, it actually happened. Or that one might be accused of being a terrorist sympathizer or an anti-Semite. Or of being a self-hating Jew. These are all things that I have been accused of, and they are not just made up. And that means that the risk of doing something is much higher. Of course I understand that not everyone wants to take this risk, but I still think it is important that we do something with this initiative to keep the issue on the agenda and in people’s consciousness. That what we are seeing in Gaza is really one of the terrible crimes of our time. And that we don’t just ignore it.
More here.
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