Berlin takes stand on anti-semitism
OrchestrasStatement by the Berlin Philharmonic and others:
In consideration of current events, and in commemoration of tomorrow’s 85th anniversary of the November Pogroms in Germany, Berlin’s opera houses and orchestras have issued an appeal against anti-Semitism and hatred, calling for peaceful coexistence.
Berlin’s major orchestras and three opera houses call on all Berliners to take a stand against anti-Semitism and hatred. Even in turbulent times, controversies must be addressed non-violently and with tolerance. This basis of our social cohesion is currently under threat. It has been a month since Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel.
It was an act of terrorism whose brutality shocks us, and which cannot in any way be justified. It has resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East, with countless civilian casualties. Our sympathy and thoughts go out to all victims, on both Israeli and Palestinian sides. The effects of this terrible situation reach as far as Germany and especially Berlin.
As the capital of Germany and as home to renowned opera houses and orchestras, Berlin is a global symbol of openness, freedom and tolerance. It is completely unacceptable for Jews in our city to be threatened, and for calls for the annihilation of Israel to be made during demonstrations. “Never again” – the plea that followed the horrors of the Holocaust – must now be repeated with the utmost urgency. We must confront anti-Semitism in Berlin and Germany with the firmest resolve; we all share responsibility for the safety of our Jewish fellow citizens. Like racism and any other form of marginalisation, anti-Semitism can have no place in our society.
Even under the current fraught circumstances, we must not allow ourselves to be guided by hatred and provocation. We can all make a contribution to this.
Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation
General manager Andrea Zietzschmann and chief conductor Kirill Petrenko
Rundfunk Orchester Chöre gGmbH
Anselm Rose, managing director of Rundfunk Orchester und Chöre gGmbH Berlin with its ensembles Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Rundfunkchor Berlin and RIAS Kammerchor Berlin and their chief conductors and artistic directors: Robin Ticciati, Vladimir Jurowski, Gijs Leenaars and Justin Doyle
Konzerthaus Berlin Director
Sebastian Nordmann and chief conductor Joana Mallwitz
Staatsoper Unter den Linden
Director Matthias Schulz
Deutsche Oper Berlin
General manager Dietmar Schwarz and general music director Sir Donald Runnicles
Komische Oper Berlin
Co-artistic directors Susanne Moser and Philip Bröking and general music director James Gaffigan
Calling unceasing aerial bombardment a “humanitarian catastrophe” is plain insulting. It is easily possible to denounce Hamas’ murders and kidnappings without downplaying the killing of thousands of civilians by Israel. This statement makes it sound as if water, food, housing, medical care, and aid disappeared from Gaza by accident.
I don’t remember hearing a word from you when the Americans destroyed the city of Mosul and killed thousands of civilians in the war against Isis. Maybe the difference is that now Jews are involved.
Funny, my PhD is on American remote warfare and I’ve presented on American civilian casualties in the campaign against ISIS at two major conferences this year. I’m sure you’ll read my book on the topic when it comes out, since you’re interested in what I have to say on it. I do have a life outside Slipped Disc…
None of which would have have happened if Hamas had not pogromed 1,400 Jews on October 7. They surely knew that Israel would not turn the other cheek.
You know, you don’t get a free pass to commit war crimes once your enemy has done the same, it’s just not how it works.
Yes. Hamas killed 1400 civilians and took 250 hostages. They deliberately targeted civilians and committed acts of barbarism. None of that is in dispute, and the statement above rightly denounces it as unspeakable evil.
That does not negate the reality of what has happened since, and the fact that the “humanitarian crisis” is neither accidental nor inevitable. And it is possible to recognize both.
Yes, it is certainly “possible to recognize both” and it is also perfectly reasonable to blame Hamas and their supporters for all of it – especially now that their leaders are openly proclaiming that “permanent war” was the goal of their actions last month.
Well said, except that an attack by land, sea and air that takes 1,400 lives on Day One is an ACT OF WAR, not an “act of terrorism.”
Barenboim is missing.
Barenboim isn’t missing. He is no longer music director at the Staatsoper. He isn’t on the masthead if you check the website.
Any reason why the new music director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Christian Thielemann, did not add his name to this statement?
He is not yet in post – he’s taking up the job in September.
Same reason why the old music director, Daniel Barenboim, did not add his name, because neither is the current music director, for the simple reason that there is no music director: Barenboim having resigned in January 2023 and Thielemann not assuming the post until 2024.
Neither has authority to speak for an organization he is not an employee of.
The interested parties can certainly issue personal statements, but no one cares about Thielemann’s personal take on the Middle East, and everyone already knows about Barenboim’s personal take.
Thielemann doesn’t start his new job at Unter den Linden until September 2024.
Thielemann isn’t music director yet. He doesn’t start that job until September 2024.
He is not yet MD and was therefore not asked to sign.
That’s one of the best-stated appeals yet. Understated and just to all, acknowledging all victims, but passionate in its commitment to the urgently required “Never again.” I applaud all involved, and wonder with another poster why the name of Christian Thielemann has not been attached to it.
“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.”
Dante Alighieri
Dante must certainly never said that or even close to it. (That is not even remotely the worldview of his time.) Find me the original Italian quote.
The quote is indeed not by Dante. But the sentiment is there, in Canto III of Inferno – those who refuse to take sides are condemned to be rejected by both hell and heaven.
Mandelbaum’s translation: “ And he to me: “This miserable way
is taken by the sorry souls of those
who lived without disgrace and without praise.
They now commingle with the coward angels,
the company of those who were not rebels
nor faithful to their God, but stood apart.
The heavens, that their beauty not be lessened,
have cast them out, nor will deep Hell receive them—
even the wicked cannot glory in them.”
And I: “What is it, master, that oppresses
these souls, compelling them to wail so loud?”
He answered: “I shall tell you in few words.
Those who are here can place no hope in death,
and their blind life is so abject that they
are envious of every other fate.
The world will let no fame of theirs endure;
both justice and compassion must disdain them;
let us not talk of them, but look and pass.””
And the Italian: “ 34Ed elli a me: «Questo misero modo
35tegnon l’anime triste di coloro
36che visser sanza ’nfamia e sanza lodo.
37Mischiate sono a quel cattivo coro
38de li angeli che non furon ribelli
39né fur fedeli a Dio, ma per sé fuoro.
40Caccianli i ciel per non esser men belli,
41né lo profondo inferno li riceve,
42ch’alcuna gloria i rei avrebber d’elli».
43E io: «Maestro, che è tanto greve
44a lor che lamentar li fa sì forte?».
45Rispuose: «Dicerolti molto breve.
46Questi non hanno speranza di morte,
47e la lor cieca vita è tanto bassa,
48che ’nvidïosi son d’ogne altra sorte.
49Fama di loro il mondo esser non lassa;
50misericordia e giustizia li sdegna:
51non ragioniam di lor, ma guarda e passa».”
https://digitaldante.columbia.edu/dante/divine-comedy/inferno/inferno-3/
Inferno, Canto III, lines 34-51.
Grazie mille.
Oh c’mon, even your own gloss of the cited passage (never mind the original text itself),
“those who refuse to take sides are condemned to be rejected by both hell and heaven”
is directly contradicted by the quote
“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality”
But of course, it would be a lot less sexy or portentous to attribute to Dante:
“Somewhere between heaven and hell is a place reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality”
I’d be like, hmmm, doesn’t sound so bad, at least I don’t go to hell, where can I make my reservation?
I withdraw my remark on Mr. Thielemann, with thanks to the posters above for reminding me of his situation, which is still independent.
I can guess, since he has form. I will say no more.
I copied this letter onto my twitter account. I am sick and tired of Israel getting the blame for everything that happens in the Middle East. Hamas were the instigators of this war and now they hide in their tunnels while the civilian population takes the flak.
It is also worth remembering that none of the victims murdered by Moslem terrorist attacks in Europe had anything to do with the Middle East. Not in France, not in Belgium, not in the US (9/11), not in Britain. The US went to war after 9/11.
I refuse to be morally blackmailed into feeling guilty about the situation in the Middle East. We are not to blame for the Iranian-backed fanatics and their useful idiots in the West.
“Like racism and any other form of marginalisation, anti-Semitism can have no place in our society.”
Wie bitte?
The Jews, Muslims, Christians, Conservatives, Classical Liberals have no place in societies with Pride Flags as the Religion of the State.
Just watch how Germany – again – may destroy Europe. That would be the third try…