Tel Aviv University refuses to host Wagner concert
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tel Aviv University has refused to host the first Wagner concert in Israel since the state's foundation on the grounds that it would "deeply hurt the feelings" of the public, including Holocaust survivors.
The German, who openly expressed anti-Semitic views and was Hitler's favourite composer, was to have been the subject of a day of music and discussion, including on the inspiration the Zionist visionary Theodor Herzl is said to have drawn from Richard Wagner's opera Tannhauser. Previous attempts to perform Wagner's works in Israel have foundered on similar opposition.
Yonatan Livny, the son of a Holocaust survivor, and founder of the Israel Wagner Society, which planned the event, denied university claims that he had concealed the true nature of the concert and told the German news agency DPA that he had had the explicit permission of the university's president.
He said he would try to find an alternative location.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments