Iran Bans Famous Conductor For Israeli Citizenship

1 minute read
BERLIN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 09: Conductor Daniel Barenboim performs at Brandenburg Gate during celebrations on the 25th anniversary of the fall of Wall on November 9, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. The city of Berlin is is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with an installation of 6,800 lamps coupled with illuminated balloons along a 15km route where the Wall once ran and divided the city into capitalist West and communist East. The fall of the Wall on November the 9, 1989 was among the most powerful symbols of the revolutions that swept through the communist countries of Eastern Europe and heralded the end of the Cold War. Built by the communist authorities of East Germany in 1961, the Wall prevented East Germans from fleeing west and was equipped with guard towers and deadly traps. (Photo by Target Presse Agentur Gmbh/Getty Images)
Conductor Daniel Barenboim performs at Brandenburg Gate during celebrations on the 25th anniversary of the fall of Wall in Berlin, on November 9, 2014.Target Presse Agentur Gmbh/Getty Images
By Tessa Berenson Rogers

Iran won’t let Daniel Barenboim, the music director of the Berlin State Opera House, enter the country because he holds Israeli citizenship.

Barenboim was supposed to conduct a concert in Tehran, the Agence France Presse reports, but he has been barred for security reasons.

“We have no problem with the German orchestra coming to Iran, but we are opposed to the person leading that group,” Iranian culture ministry spokesman Hossein Noushabadi said. “He has multiple nationalities and one of them is Israeli. For security reasons and to prevent issues following the entry of certain people into Iran, we stopped it.”

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he supported Barenboim’s plan to conduct in Iran because of his “dedication to making music accessible to all people, irrespective of national, religious or ethnic boundaries.”

More Must-Reads from TIME

Write to Tessa Berenson Rogers at tessa.Rogers@time.com