The New Zealand conductor Gemma New has withdrawn from her three-date January 2026 appearance with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) and violinist Vadim Gluzman. New currently serves as music director of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
New’s decision follows the recently updated U.S. State Department travel advisory on visiting Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.
“In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S. Embassy may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank,” the official site reads. “Reconsider Travel To: Israel [and Westbank] due to terrorism and civil unrest.”
The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa originally called for the conductor to cancel her appearance as they saw it as an “endorsement of Israeli genocide in Gaza.”
New has not responded publicly about this matter, and her management agency, Primo Artists’ President and Founder Charlotte Lee wrote that New’s “decision reflects official travel guidance and her responsibility to adhere to those parameters.
“She is a musician whose role is to make music and to travel in line with the advice of the relevant authorities.”
“Conductor Gemma New, who was scheduled to come to Israel to lead the orchestra in January, has canceled her visit,” reads the IPO’s website. A replacement conductor is yet to be announced.
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