Israeli Conductor Ilan Volkov’s Anti-Gaza War Full Protest Speech

Sept. 19—Here is the full speech that Israeli conductor Ilan Volkov gave at the end of the widely viewed BBC Proms concert where he performed:

“Thank you all for sharing this amazing music together. It’s a real privilege to be here every year with my friends, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

“In my heart there is great pain now, every day for months. I come from Israel and live there. I love it, it’s my home, but what’s happening is atrocious and horrific in a scale that’s unimaginable. I know that many of us feel completely helpless in front of it. Innocent Palestinians being killed in thousands, displaced again and again, without hospitals and schools, not knowing when’s the next meal. Israeli hostages are kept in terrible conditions for almost two years, and political prisoners are languishing in Israeli jails.

“Israelis—Jews and Palestinians—won’t be able to stop this alone. I ask you all to do whatever is in your power to stop this madness. Every little action counts, while governments hesitate and wait. We cannot let this go on any longer; every moment that passes puts the safety of millions in risk.

“Thank you.”

The BBC broadcast unfortunately ended just before Volkov made his statement, as BBC said that they were not notified that he would make a speech, but it has been posted on X, including the audience’s reaction--a long standing ovation.