Indonesia’s Muslim council urges cancellation of Andrea Bocelli shows over Israel ties

Indonesia's top Islamic council, the MUI, has urged the cancellation of two Andrea Bocelli concerts, citing his past support for Israel. The council met with the Tourism Ministry on Wednesday to voice opposition to the October 31 and November 3 shows. Local police have withdrawn a permit recommendation for the Borobudur Temple concert.

Indonesia's top Islamic council, the MUI, has demanded the cancellation of two upcoming Andrea Bocelli concerts, arguing that the Italian tenor's past support for Israel is incompatible with the views of the Muslim-majority nation. The council met with the Tourism Ministry on Wednesday to discuss Bocelli's Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour Indonesia, which includes a performance at the UNESCO-listed Borobudur Temple on October 31 and a show in Jakarta on November 3. The MUI's objection stems from Bocelli's participation in a 2010 fundraiser in Los Angeles for the Israel Defense Forces and a 2022 concert in Tel Aviv. "Giving a platform to a figure who has funded or supported military actions linked to humanitarian abuses in Gaza runs contrary to the values of the Indonesian nation and MUI's religious guidance," the council said in a statement. Tourism Ministry Secretary Bayu Aji said the government would align with the MUI's decision. Local police in Magelang have withdrawn a permit recommendation for the Borobudur concert. Pro-Palestinian groups in Jordan have also called for a boycott of Bocelli's November 27 concert in Petra.