Suspension of Musicians
Four string players were suspended by the orchestra in 2011 for signing a letter to The Independent newspaper calling on The Proms to cancel a concert by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, on the grounds of the latter's involvement with the Israeli state and its partnership with the Israeli Defense Forces, who impede the development of Palestinian culture, including the prevention of Palestinian musicians from travelling abroad to perform. The suspensions was criticized as 'disproportionate' by Geoffrey Alderman and 'too harsh' by Norman Lebrecht. LPO chief executive Timothy Walker said 'Jewish pressure' led to the suspensions. One of the suspended players later took a claim for discrimination on the grounds of belief to an employment tribunal.
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