Israeli Philharmonic will play in London despite protest

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at the prestigious BBC Proms in London despite calls for a boycott of its performance.

The orchestra is scheduled to play Thursday night at the Royal Albert Hall. Audience members will have their bags searched in order to keep out political protesters, according to the Evening Standard.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign called on ticket holders not to attend the concert in protest of the orchestra’s support of the Israeli army. The organization objects to the Israeli Philharmonic’s performances at army bases.

The BBC refused to cancel the performance, saying the invitation to perform was “purely musical,” according to the London Jewish Chronicle.

Anti-Israel protesters said they would demonstrate outside the hall, while the Zionist Federation of the UK has planned a counter-demonstration, according to the newspaper.

The concert is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Israeli Philharmonic and conductor Zubin Mehta’s 50th year with the group.