French police detained four people after a concert by Israel’s national orchestra was interrupted in Paris, according to a prosecutor and event organizers.

The incident occurred on Thursday night at the Paris Philharmonic hall, where protesters used smoke flares to disrupt the performance by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Several audience members responded by physically confronting the disruptors.

The protest was met with swift condemnation from French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, who stated that violence has no place in a concert hall and emphasized the importance of freedom of programming and creation within the Republic.

The Paris Philharmonic filed a complaint, expressing their strong disapproval of the disturbances.

Despite these incidents, the orchestra managed to resume its performance after briefly being interrupted on three separate occasions.

The protest had been premeditated, with several activist groups signing an open letter calling for the event’s cancellation.

These activists argued that allowing the orchestra to perform was tantamount to Israel attempting to improve its international image.

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in France, along with other organizations, supported this stance by claiming it sought to normalize Israeli actions during its military campaign in Gaza.

The incident marks a rising tide of cultural boycott movements targeting Israel.

In September, a German orchestra's planned performance at a Belgian festival was canceled due to the conductor’s association with the Israeli government.

This decision was met with criticism, including from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who accused some critics of employing antisemitic rhetoric.

The controversy highlights the complexities and tensions surrounding cultural exchanges in the context of ongoing international political disputes.